By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Joseph_P_Simpson]Joseph P Simpson
To do animation you will have to have some area of interest as animation is such a broad specialized subject. The basis of animation is to simply create the illusion of moment from still images or objects referred to as modeling or meshing.
Today with video real time on-line and manual training more and more people is selected the home training approach by following step by step training and manual guides. There is no difference here with animation as the concept is the same. If you were to take up the adventure of animation, you will in time know how to do animation as that is the only path to follow. Nowadays this is a more practical approach as to learning how the animation software application functions you are teaching yourself.
So lets go back in time, to be an animator you need an artist or somebody who can draw. Lest keep it simple lets draw a stick figure on a piece of paper. This would be the first step to animation. It is referred to as modeling, which is 3D. Now we have to create an animation and make that stick figure give people the illusion of movement.
To create illusion of movement in this case, create animation you will have to draw another identical sick figure with a s very slight variance for example draw the next figure with the leg slightly forward. If you draw enough images behind each other you will see the leg moving as you flick back and forward through the pages, artist use tracing paper to flick back and forward to create smooth motion this flicking motion is what a time line does.
So now we have the stick image walking around lifting his arm. Maybe even running or jumping. Once this effect has happened by flicking or using time-lines, you have just learn t how you do animation.
No from this point it gets as complicated and as technical as your Imagination.
People are highly skilled in on e are of animation or field of animation like modeling, light and shading, meshing, morphing etc.
The next thing to do one be to add maybe some clothes to your stick figure, how about giving it some colour. Now you are getting hot. The next thing to do is develop a background scene for your walking skipping now clothed stick figure, how about beach scenery?
This is in animation referred to layout and structure. You could then take it to the next level and add the sun and start putting sun shadows onto your stick image. This lighting and shading is a highly specialized field of expertise, this is the path to 3d animation.
Now you are looking like you know how to do animation. We have a stick figure running and jumping along a beach front on a hot sunny and can chase his own shadow. No you could add maybe a little wind. You could go on for ever.
But you have not done any animation, it needs to be an illusion to others and all you simply do is video record yourself flicking the pages or video formatting it with a time line.
This is great fun but very time consuming, to really get to know how people do animation simply download a 3d animation software, study it, master it mix it with determination and patience and you will not only know how to do animation, but be animating. Really want to know about animation and how it is done, and want tools and training you need.
Thank you for reading how do you do animation.
We hope this information was informative and helpful.
We are currently researching and analyzing Illusion Mage 3d animation software download. We aim to provide an informative service to not only this product but to the fascinating world of animation as well.
Please feel free to join at http://easy3dsoftware.com/articles/ at easy 3d software for 3d animation reviews, reports, information and tips, welcome!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Do-You-Do-Animation?-Understand-the-Animation-Program&id=6412083] How Do You Do Animation? Understand the Animation Program
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Is the Pokemon Story Simple or Complex?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dinah_Jackson]Dinah Jackson
Welcome to another installment of Pokemon Cafe, where the java and Pokemon topics are evolving along with the Pokemon roaming the floors and occasionally engaging in battle. The latest news in the Pokemon world as you have undoubtedly heard is the release of Pokemon Black and White. The game itself is a must have along with of course all of the exciting spinoff products. There are new Pokemon Black and White stuffed toys, new cards for the Pokemon card game including Shiney Eutei and Raikon. Everything from great new Plushies to stationary are to be had.
Children's minds are fantastic. We adults are constantly trying to teach them how to think when in reality the child's brain, like the Pokemon, has special powers and is growing on its own. As an adult, the Pokemon story, I admit, leaves me hanging. But I am not thinking like a child.
I always felt that The Wizard of Oz was the greatest film ever made for children. Actually I still feel that way- it is a complex tapestry of the horrors and miracles of life, of rich textures and symbolism, of love and sin, and most importantly, the fact that life will always throw at you things you can never prepare for no matter how much you learn and that only bravery and virtue will win the day. As a story, The Wizard of Oz leaves the Pokemon series crawling in the dust. And that is a fact.
But the purposes of the two stories are completely different. While Oz throws us into a tumultuous world, Pokemon encourages- no, forces- the young mind to use his imagination, create worlds, and fill in gaps. Pokemon as a story fails in too many ways to count. It is incomplete, it is not credible or logical, its premise is not explained and does not make sense. Its world is in no sense of the word a complete world. It has no message and, as far as life lessons are concerned, nothing to teach. It is not a story that adults can enjoy along with children. At best, it is like a rather silly spinoff on Jurassic Park with all of the power and none of the horror or plot. And kids love it.
I submit that the Pokemon story is excellent for children's minds. For all the unexplained elements in it that leave we adults dissatisfied are gaps that stimulate children's minds to fill, render, and complete. In other words, each child's vision of the Pokemon story is unique as each child is unique. The trainer/Pokemon relationship gives kids something to personify that Dorothy never can. That is how a child's mind works. Adults can't be bothered.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plushie that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonCardPromo]Pokemon promo cards, charms, straps, plush toys, pokedolls, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Is-the-Pokemon-Story-Simple-or-Complex?&id=6442425] Is the Pokemon Story Simple or Complex?
Welcome to another installment of Pokemon Cafe, where the java and Pokemon topics are evolving along with the Pokemon roaming the floors and occasionally engaging in battle. The latest news in the Pokemon world as you have undoubtedly heard is the release of Pokemon Black and White. The game itself is a must have along with of course all of the exciting spinoff products. There are new Pokemon Black and White stuffed toys, new cards for the Pokemon card game including Shiney Eutei and Raikon. Everything from great new Plushies to stationary are to be had.
Children's minds are fantastic. We adults are constantly trying to teach them how to think when in reality the child's brain, like the Pokemon, has special powers and is growing on its own. As an adult, the Pokemon story, I admit, leaves me hanging. But I am not thinking like a child.
I always felt that The Wizard of Oz was the greatest film ever made for children. Actually I still feel that way- it is a complex tapestry of the horrors and miracles of life, of rich textures and symbolism, of love and sin, and most importantly, the fact that life will always throw at you things you can never prepare for no matter how much you learn and that only bravery and virtue will win the day. As a story, The Wizard of Oz leaves the Pokemon series crawling in the dust. And that is a fact.
But the purposes of the two stories are completely different. While Oz throws us into a tumultuous world, Pokemon encourages- no, forces- the young mind to use his imagination, create worlds, and fill in gaps. Pokemon as a story fails in too many ways to count. It is incomplete, it is not credible or logical, its premise is not explained and does not make sense. Its world is in no sense of the word a complete world. It has no message and, as far as life lessons are concerned, nothing to teach. It is not a story that adults can enjoy along with children. At best, it is like a rather silly spinoff on Jurassic Park with all of the power and none of the horror or plot. And kids love it.
I submit that the Pokemon story is excellent for children's minds. For all the unexplained elements in it that leave we adults dissatisfied are gaps that stimulate children's minds to fill, render, and complete. In other words, each child's vision of the Pokemon story is unique as each child is unique. The trainer/Pokemon relationship gives kids something to personify that Dorothy never can. That is how a child's mind works. Adults can't be bothered.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plushie that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonCardPromo]Pokemon promo cards, charms, straps, plush toys, pokedolls, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Is-the-Pokemon-Story-Simple-or-Complex?&id=6442425] Is the Pokemon Story Simple or Complex?
Friday, February 24, 2012
Pokemon Training - Not Unlike Horses
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dinah_Jackson]Dinah Jackson
Welcome to the Pokemon Cafe! The Pokemon cafe is for those who, like me, know next to nothing about the world of Pokemon that our kids are so excited about. I myself am a mother of an 11-year-old boy who spends a great deal of his day thinking of Pokemon. These days he's especially crazy about Pokemon Black and White, including the Pokemon card game and also the new Pokemon Black and White Plushies (Pokemon stuffed toys that look like stuffed animals). Since Pokemon Black and White came out, I admit to caving in and buying him a large plush toy and two small plushies. No more!
Today's topic is training- how it is done and the attitudes of the trainers. Practically speaking, there are the attitudes of trainers in the animated Pokemon storyline and the attitudes of gamers. It is the former I want to focus on; it's more interesting!
Like any other animal/human relationship, the core of the Pokemon/trainer relationship is based on trust. Beyond that, there may be a great deal of affection in the feelings of a trainer toward his Pokemon, or the trainer may be of a more Spartan type, interested in moving his Pokemon farther and excelling at battle.
If this sounds familiar, it is. Because this is nearly exactly the way humans have dealt with horses over these thousands of years. While cows and sheep graze in the pasture, horses have been a daily part of human life and interaction, just until recently. On the battle side, the last time that horses were used to a significant extent in battle was in World War I. We have all but forgotten the term "Warhorse," but think about- horses in battle have to be unnaturally courageous and faithful. When knights did battle on their steeds, the master's enemy became the horse's enemy as well.
And yet even in the field of battle, which is the essential core of the Pokemon story, trainers commonly develop great affection and love for their horses. Like horses, Pokemon too are intelligent and faithful creatures that seem to have a natural sense of what their trainers want from them.
Unlike horses, Pokemon are born with fighting capabilities and develop new ones as they evolve. Their trainers capitalize on these natural fighting instincts and abilities as much as they can. Horses, aside from male rivalry over females, are not born with such aggressive instincts. But they can be taught them, and they can be taught to be fearless. Pokemon, on their own, would probably not use their defenses much. But with training, in the arena they amaze and excel. Pokemon, as it turns out, are much like gladiators.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plushie that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Pokemon-Training---Not-Unlike-Horses&id=6442450] Pokemon Training - Not Unlike Horses
Welcome to the Pokemon Cafe! The Pokemon cafe is for those who, like me, know next to nothing about the world of Pokemon that our kids are so excited about. I myself am a mother of an 11-year-old boy who spends a great deal of his day thinking of Pokemon. These days he's especially crazy about Pokemon Black and White, including the Pokemon card game and also the new Pokemon Black and White Plushies (Pokemon stuffed toys that look like stuffed animals). Since Pokemon Black and White came out, I admit to caving in and buying him a large plush toy and two small plushies. No more!
Today's topic is training- how it is done and the attitudes of the trainers. Practically speaking, there are the attitudes of trainers in the animated Pokemon storyline and the attitudes of gamers. It is the former I want to focus on; it's more interesting!
Like any other animal/human relationship, the core of the Pokemon/trainer relationship is based on trust. Beyond that, there may be a great deal of affection in the feelings of a trainer toward his Pokemon, or the trainer may be of a more Spartan type, interested in moving his Pokemon farther and excelling at battle.
If this sounds familiar, it is. Because this is nearly exactly the way humans have dealt with horses over these thousands of years. While cows and sheep graze in the pasture, horses have been a daily part of human life and interaction, just until recently. On the battle side, the last time that horses were used to a significant extent in battle was in World War I. We have all but forgotten the term "Warhorse," but think about- horses in battle have to be unnaturally courageous and faithful. When knights did battle on their steeds, the master's enemy became the horse's enemy as well.
And yet even in the field of battle, which is the essential core of the Pokemon story, trainers commonly develop great affection and love for their horses. Like horses, Pokemon too are intelligent and faithful creatures that seem to have a natural sense of what their trainers want from them.
Unlike horses, Pokemon are born with fighting capabilities and develop new ones as they evolve. Their trainers capitalize on these natural fighting instincts and abilities as much as they can. Horses, aside from male rivalry over females, are not born with such aggressive instincts. But they can be taught them, and they can be taught to be fearless. Pokemon, on their own, would probably not use their defenses much. But with training, in the arena they amaze and excel. Pokemon, as it turns out, are much like gladiators.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plushie that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Pokemon-Training---Not-Unlike-Horses&id=6442450] Pokemon Training - Not Unlike Horses
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Still Waiting For the Pokemon Pokeball
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dinah_Jackson]Dinah Jackson
Someone tell me if I'm wrong. Amongst the plethora of Pokemon spinoffs, there does not yet exist a Pokeball. This should be a no brainer. How can any Pokemon collector and trainer go about his business without a Pokeball? It just makes sense to have one; one that you can throw without breaking things I might add.
The problem with a Pokeball is that you need a Pokemon to live in it, and it would be great to throw your Pokeball and have a plushie leap out. Unfortunately, even in our high tech age, such things are still very low tech and would consist of a jack-in-the-box contraption with a spring and a Plushie that falls flat. I doubt that would be popular.
I'm not sure how that aspect of the Pokeball could be fixed but amongst all the people working with Nintendo I'm know there's enough imagination to come up with something. The simple solution I have is this: Make the Pokeball?collection into a kind of Pokemon card game. That is, inside the Pokeball, have 6 to 12 layers of pictures of different Pokemon of varying strength. Make sure each Pokeball is randomly made so that they're all unique. Each time the Pokeballs get thrown, the picture changes and the battle is won or lost on the strength of the Pokemon that show up. Not the greatest idea in the world, I know, but I tell you, I really think the kids are secretly clamoring for a Pokeball and that they would be a great hit on the market.
Speaking of the market, inside the Pokeball you could start adding Pokemon Black and White monsters, because Pokemon Black and White is what's really popular now. My son has Pokemon Black and White Plush Toys (Stuffed Toys) and loves them so much he even sleeps with them. He's also a maniac for the Pokemon Black and White Card Game and collects the new Black and White cards whenever he can. He also has a Pokemon Black and White Zuken Figure, but by far he prefers the soft Plushies.
Speaking of soft, and getting back to Pokeballs, I'm a little ashamed to admit that I made my son a pseudo Pokeball that is like a dye, but has softer edges. I sewed different Pokemon faces onto each side, and now he can play a dice game with something that is 'sort of' like a Pokeball. If any of you kids are reading this, go ahead and ask Nintendo for a Pokeball. If you're a parent and want to be a hero, you can as well.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plush toy that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Still-Waiting-For-the-Pokemon-Pokeball&id=6442452] Still Waiting For the Pokemon Pokeball
Someone tell me if I'm wrong. Amongst the plethora of Pokemon spinoffs, there does not yet exist a Pokeball. This should be a no brainer. How can any Pokemon collector and trainer go about his business without a Pokeball? It just makes sense to have one; one that you can throw without breaking things I might add.
The problem with a Pokeball is that you need a Pokemon to live in it, and it would be great to throw your Pokeball and have a plushie leap out. Unfortunately, even in our high tech age, such things are still very low tech and would consist of a jack-in-the-box contraption with a spring and a Plushie that falls flat. I doubt that would be popular.
I'm not sure how that aspect of the Pokeball could be fixed but amongst all the people working with Nintendo I'm know there's enough imagination to come up with something. The simple solution I have is this: Make the Pokeball?collection into a kind of Pokemon card game. That is, inside the Pokeball, have 6 to 12 layers of pictures of different Pokemon of varying strength. Make sure each Pokeball is randomly made so that they're all unique. Each time the Pokeballs get thrown, the picture changes and the battle is won or lost on the strength of the Pokemon that show up. Not the greatest idea in the world, I know, but I tell you, I really think the kids are secretly clamoring for a Pokeball and that they would be a great hit on the market.
Speaking of the market, inside the Pokeball you could start adding Pokemon Black and White monsters, because Pokemon Black and White is what's really popular now. My son has Pokemon Black and White Plush Toys (Stuffed Toys) and loves them so much he even sleeps with them. He's also a maniac for the Pokemon Black and White Card Game and collects the new Black and White cards whenever he can. He also has a Pokemon Black and White Zuken Figure, but by far he prefers the soft Plushies.
Speaking of soft, and getting back to Pokeballs, I'm a little ashamed to admit that I made my son a pseudo Pokeball that is like a dye, but has softer edges. I sewed different Pokemon faces onto each side, and now he can play a dice game with something that is 'sort of' like a Pokeball. If any of you kids are reading this, go ahead and ask Nintendo for a Pokeball. If you're a parent and want to be a hero, you can as well.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plush toy that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Still-Waiting-For-the-Pokemon-Pokeball&id=6442452] Still Waiting For the Pokemon Pokeball
Monday, February 20, 2012
The Need For a Pokemon Book Series
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dinah_Jackson]Dinah Jackson
This is Dinah again at the Pokemon Cafe and Media club and I've just been engaged in lively intellectual discussion about the Pokemon story and possibilities for the future. It's obvious from the development of the game and its spinoffs these years that Pokemon thrives on diversity. In fact, diversity and evolution are what Pokemon is all about! The latest 'shinka' (evolution) jump in Pokemon Mania is Pokemon Black and White (as if I needed to tell you that). As a mom who likes soft toys that can be thrown around without breaking things, I like the new Pokemon Black and White plush toys, or 'plushies' and my son has added some new Pokemon stuffed toys to his collection, though I must admit I bought them partially for myself. The Pokemon Black and White monsters are by far the 'coolest' so far in the game (as opposed to 'cute') and more dragon-like than cuddly. Still, like all Pokemon, they have agreeable and noble faces. Anyway, the Pokemon Black and White series has made the Pokemon card game a whole lot more interesting as well.
The Pokemon story has been developed in an animated TV and film series of course, and also in 'manga' (comic books). But my beef with Pokemon is that unlike Mario or other simple games, the basic premise of Pokemon is quite sophisticated and entertaining, and deserves much better development. Pokemon, as far as I'm concerned, has the potential to be entertaining to adults as well as kids, but so far Nintendo has declined to explore that aspect. The only thing it would need to do is sell the idea to the major film producing companies, which I'm sure would jump at a chance at the project. Given its options, in my opinion Hollywood would definitely be the place to take the idea.
The first thing Pokemon needs is a solid book series. Admittedly, it could get away without one and develop only film scripts (like Star Wars or Pirates of the Caribbean), but personally I'd like to see a well-written book series that was great to read and great to watch as well (Harry Potter is the shining example I'm thinking of).
In the release of a rich Pokemon saga that is full of thrills, heroes, and character development, there should be no doubters. Obviously, 3D and special effects of their favorite Pokemon will mesmerize kids more than the flat and silly animation that they already love now, and through solid literary and film production, Pokemon could become enjoyed by all and a classic of our times.
I don't know if making Pokemon more sophisticated would boost its spinoffs, but I really doubt that it would hurt. One thing for certain is that it would push it even higher above its competitors now.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plush toy that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Need-For-a-Pokemon-Book-Series&id=6442456] The Need For a Pokemon Book Series
This is Dinah again at the Pokemon Cafe and Media club and I've just been engaged in lively intellectual discussion about the Pokemon story and possibilities for the future. It's obvious from the development of the game and its spinoffs these years that Pokemon thrives on diversity. In fact, diversity and evolution are what Pokemon is all about! The latest 'shinka' (evolution) jump in Pokemon Mania is Pokemon Black and White (as if I needed to tell you that). As a mom who likes soft toys that can be thrown around without breaking things, I like the new Pokemon Black and White plush toys, or 'plushies' and my son has added some new Pokemon stuffed toys to his collection, though I must admit I bought them partially for myself. The Pokemon Black and White monsters are by far the 'coolest' so far in the game (as opposed to 'cute') and more dragon-like than cuddly. Still, like all Pokemon, they have agreeable and noble faces. Anyway, the Pokemon Black and White series has made the Pokemon card game a whole lot more interesting as well.
The Pokemon story has been developed in an animated TV and film series of course, and also in 'manga' (comic books). But my beef with Pokemon is that unlike Mario or other simple games, the basic premise of Pokemon is quite sophisticated and entertaining, and deserves much better development. Pokemon, as far as I'm concerned, has the potential to be entertaining to adults as well as kids, but so far Nintendo has declined to explore that aspect. The only thing it would need to do is sell the idea to the major film producing companies, which I'm sure would jump at a chance at the project. Given its options, in my opinion Hollywood would definitely be the place to take the idea.
The first thing Pokemon needs is a solid book series. Admittedly, it could get away without one and develop only film scripts (like Star Wars or Pirates of the Caribbean), but personally I'd like to see a well-written book series that was great to read and great to watch as well (Harry Potter is the shining example I'm thinking of).
In the release of a rich Pokemon saga that is full of thrills, heroes, and character development, there should be no doubters. Obviously, 3D and special effects of their favorite Pokemon will mesmerize kids more than the flat and silly animation that they already love now, and through solid literary and film production, Pokemon could become enjoyed by all and a classic of our times.
I don't know if making Pokemon more sophisticated would boost its spinoffs, but I really doubt that it would hurt. One thing for certain is that it would push it even higher above its competitors now.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plush toy that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Need-For-a-Pokemon-Book-Series&id=6442456] The Need For a Pokemon Book Series
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The Unfulfilled Pokemon Saga
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dinah_Jackson]Dinah Jackson
The Pokemon story series has always had its weaknesses. Basically, in every segment, Ash is taunted by his 'cool' but evil rivals that finally culminate in the ultimate Pokemon battle from which Ash emerges as the victor while his rivals are vexed. In between there are several sub-battles and a lot of wandering around for less than clear reasons. It does, I suppose, mimic the maze in the game.
I confess to my ignorance on the latest; Pokemon Black and White. I know that as far as the game and the spinoffs go, Pokemon Black and White is the latest thing and it is immensely popular. Just go to the Pokemon Store to see for yourself: the shelves are stocked with Pokemon Black and White Plush Dolls, Pokemon figures, Pokedolls, and other toys, stuffed or plastic. Pokemon Black and White is doing well in the Pokemon card game as well, and the new cards are apparently 'the' ones to have.
But I don't know if any new storylines via comic books or animation have come out yet. I have heard talk that two new movies are indeed being made right now by the way, but have no details other than that. One would hope that whoever draws up contracts for the rights of the Pokemon story, will start producing something more substantial than the fare we've been getting. Any movie aimed at young audiences that is worth its salt should be entertaining to grownups too. That is how The Lion King and Finding Nemo to name a few grew to be smash hits.
Unfortunately, everything entertainment wise is locked up in the Nintendo headquarters in Tokyo. Now, what I am about to say is no reflection on the Japanese film industry. Only, as far as children's stories go, Japan has shown itself to be a champion and perhaps has produced the world's greatest animation. But it only has a few blockbusters under its belt, made strictly under the direct supervision of master storytellers and animators. As we all know, Pokemon has never fell under this category in terms of animation. Its storylines have been, well, awful, and its animation quality mediocre.
Which is unfortunate because with some first rate story telling, top of the line voice acting, and masterpiece animation (drawn or digital), I really think that the video series of Pokemon could become blockbusters and really bolster Nintendo's sales of both the game and the spinoffs. My suggestion is that if the Japanese masters don't want to handle it, let Hollywood. Hollywood doesn't even necessarily need good storylines to make a blockbuster- special effects hold their own in Hollywood. Anyway, it's been an ongoing complaint of mine with Pokemon- mostly because my son makes me sit through and watch them with him.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plush that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Unfulfilled-Pokemon-Saga&id=6442462] The Unfulfilled Pokemon Saga
The Pokemon story series has always had its weaknesses. Basically, in every segment, Ash is taunted by his 'cool' but evil rivals that finally culminate in the ultimate Pokemon battle from which Ash emerges as the victor while his rivals are vexed. In between there are several sub-battles and a lot of wandering around for less than clear reasons. It does, I suppose, mimic the maze in the game.
I confess to my ignorance on the latest; Pokemon Black and White. I know that as far as the game and the spinoffs go, Pokemon Black and White is the latest thing and it is immensely popular. Just go to the Pokemon Store to see for yourself: the shelves are stocked with Pokemon Black and White Plush Dolls, Pokemon figures, Pokedolls, and other toys, stuffed or plastic. Pokemon Black and White is doing well in the Pokemon card game as well, and the new cards are apparently 'the' ones to have.
But I don't know if any new storylines via comic books or animation have come out yet. I have heard talk that two new movies are indeed being made right now by the way, but have no details other than that. One would hope that whoever draws up contracts for the rights of the Pokemon story, will start producing something more substantial than the fare we've been getting. Any movie aimed at young audiences that is worth its salt should be entertaining to grownups too. That is how The Lion King and Finding Nemo to name a few grew to be smash hits.
Unfortunately, everything entertainment wise is locked up in the Nintendo headquarters in Tokyo. Now, what I am about to say is no reflection on the Japanese film industry. Only, as far as children's stories go, Japan has shown itself to be a champion and perhaps has produced the world's greatest animation. But it only has a few blockbusters under its belt, made strictly under the direct supervision of master storytellers and animators. As we all know, Pokemon has never fell under this category in terms of animation. Its storylines have been, well, awful, and its animation quality mediocre.
Which is unfortunate because with some first rate story telling, top of the line voice acting, and masterpiece animation (drawn or digital), I really think that the video series of Pokemon could become blockbusters and really bolster Nintendo's sales of both the game and the spinoffs. My suggestion is that if the Japanese masters don't want to handle it, let Hollywood. Hollywood doesn't even necessarily need good storylines to make a blockbuster- special effects hold their own in Hollywood. Anyway, it's been an ongoing complaint of mine with Pokemon- mostly because my son makes me sit through and watch them with him.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plush that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Unfulfilled-Pokemon-Saga&id=6442462] The Unfulfilled Pokemon Saga
Thursday, February 16, 2012
What Is The Pokemon Evolution?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dinah_Jackson]Dinah Jackson
Pokemon are different from other creatures in that many of them can spontaneously mutate and acquire new powers. In Pokemon parlance, this is called 'evolve' though though of us with an interest in paleontology know that evolution only occurs over a period of thousands or millions of years, while a mutation is something that a living creature is born with- it doesn't generally happen at a certain stage of life. However, animals do change as they grow older and furthermore in the insect world there is the phenomenon of metamorphosis, which is really what the Pokemon do- they metamorphose.
I don't know if the latest incantation of Pokemon, Pokemon Black and White, are 'evolved' or not, but they sure look as if they are. They have evolved and may be found anywhere they are selling Pokemon goods- in fact they dominate the shelves and any Pokemon fan who wants something new can't get enough of them. Check out the new Pokemon Black and White plush toys, the stuffed toys and figures, the new Pokemon Black and White Promo cards, and the latest in Pokemon Black and White Zuken and Tomy Figures.
I myself am not familiar with how a Pokemon undergoes evolution, though if your child is a Pokemon fan, I'm sure he is. I would imagine that the Pokemon go somewhere private to do it, but maybe it just happens spontaneously.
I do know that I can spot the evolved Pokemon manifestations on Pokemon charts when quizzed by my son, though I don't seriously think that's any great feat. Unfortunately, my interest beyond picking them out wanes; I don't even know their names or powers, a fact which never ceases to horrify my son. He just doesn't seem to be able to fathom how anyone cannot spend his or her entire day and night not thinking about Pokemon.
It has managed to sink into my head, vaguely and through shear repetition, that each Pokemon is associated with some natural element like grass or water. It is sometimes said that the Pokemon therefore emerged from the 'kami,' or gods, of the Japanese Shinto religion. While that may be true on some level (I've heard it was not), it is also true that there is only a single god for one thing in Shinto- rain, for instance, while the Pokemon are grouped.
Actually, and this as far as I'm concerned is a much more accurate reference to the mutation of Pokemon, the Pokemon game was conceived by the children's (mainly boys) habit of collecting and battling insects. Now while we adults may conceive of that as cruel, it is after all just something boys go through. Anyway, the metamorphosis of insects would explain Pokemon 'evolution' better than anything else.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plush that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Is-The-Pokemon-Evolution?&id=6442466] What Is The Pokemon Evolution?
Pokemon are different from other creatures in that many of them can spontaneously mutate and acquire new powers. In Pokemon parlance, this is called 'evolve' though though of us with an interest in paleontology know that evolution only occurs over a period of thousands or millions of years, while a mutation is something that a living creature is born with- it doesn't generally happen at a certain stage of life. However, animals do change as they grow older and furthermore in the insect world there is the phenomenon of metamorphosis, which is really what the Pokemon do- they metamorphose.
I don't know if the latest incantation of Pokemon, Pokemon Black and White, are 'evolved' or not, but they sure look as if they are. They have evolved and may be found anywhere they are selling Pokemon goods- in fact they dominate the shelves and any Pokemon fan who wants something new can't get enough of them. Check out the new Pokemon Black and White plush toys, the stuffed toys and figures, the new Pokemon Black and White Promo cards, and the latest in Pokemon Black and White Zuken and Tomy Figures.
I myself am not familiar with how a Pokemon undergoes evolution, though if your child is a Pokemon fan, I'm sure he is. I would imagine that the Pokemon go somewhere private to do it, but maybe it just happens spontaneously.
I do know that I can spot the evolved Pokemon manifestations on Pokemon charts when quizzed by my son, though I don't seriously think that's any great feat. Unfortunately, my interest beyond picking them out wanes; I don't even know their names or powers, a fact which never ceases to horrify my son. He just doesn't seem to be able to fathom how anyone cannot spend his or her entire day and night not thinking about Pokemon.
It has managed to sink into my head, vaguely and through shear repetition, that each Pokemon is associated with some natural element like grass or water. It is sometimes said that the Pokemon therefore emerged from the 'kami,' or gods, of the Japanese Shinto religion. While that may be true on some level (I've heard it was not), it is also true that there is only a single god for one thing in Shinto- rain, for instance, while the Pokemon are grouped.
Actually, and this as far as I'm concerned is a much more accurate reference to the mutation of Pokemon, the Pokemon game was conceived by the children's (mainly boys) habit of collecting and battling insects. Now while we adults may conceive of that as cruel, it is after all just something boys go through. Anyway, the metamorphosis of insects would explain Pokemon 'evolution' better than anything else.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plush that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Is-The-Pokemon-Evolution?&id=6442466] What Is The Pokemon Evolution?
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Pokemon Spinoffs - The List Is Long
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dinah_Jackson]Dinah Jackson
There are no real Pokemon of course, but there is everything from Pokemon mug cups to Pokemon Black and White plushies all for sale at reasonable prices and ready to give your Pokehungry tyke like mine. Some institutions have built spinoff empires based on characters that have become great legends of our time, though many of us have no idea what these characters stand for or actually do. I'm talking of Disney of course. We all 'know' Mickey Mouse, but how many of us have actually seen a Mickey Mouse animation 'short' (it's odd then that Bugs Bunny has been watched far more but has nowhere near the popularity)?
How many have seen The Sorcerer's Apprentice? Maybe a few have, but not most. Then there is Minnie, two dogs (Pluto and Goofy- one speaks, the other does not), and the Donald Duck clan. I don't wish to talk much about Disney, but rather about Pokemon. But Disney is worth pointing out because like Pokemon both are extremely successful spinoff phenomena based upon very different models.
Actually, as you well know, Disney began to diversify and become very active in producing new feature animations beginning the 90's. While the Disney features themselves were highly successful, the spinoffs continue to be decidedly dominated by the classic characters rather than by characters such as the Lion King. Pokemon spinoffs operate on the central Pokemon concept of evolution. For example, the most recent game release for Pokemon is Pokemon Black and White. And in Pokemon stores it is now Pokemon Black and White spinoffs- from the Pokemon stuffed toys to the Pokemon card game with the new Pokemon Black and White cards- that are red hot and flying off the shelves. Just try shopping at a Pokemon shop on a Sunday- you will learn the hard way! Pokemon spinoffs sell incredibly well.
Another reason is that to young minds, Pokemon represents a whole world. When we buy a Mickey Mouse keychain, it is an icon that everyone knows. The fun of Pokemon is in owning characters that no one knows. What's more, its fun knowing their powers and limits and explaining them to friends and family. Fortunately or not, my son actually regularly quizzes me on Pokemon. Pokemon are diverse, which makes them potentially confusing. But they are also well grouped into easy to understand categories. It is good for children's minds to classify and group Pokemon and have knowledge on them. Pokemon, as a sales phenomenon, is completely different from Disney.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plush that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Pokemon-Spinoffs---The-List-Is-Long&id=6442436] Pokemon Spinoffs - The List Is Long
There are no real Pokemon of course, but there is everything from Pokemon mug cups to Pokemon Black and White plushies all for sale at reasonable prices and ready to give your Pokehungry tyke like mine. Some institutions have built spinoff empires based on characters that have become great legends of our time, though many of us have no idea what these characters stand for or actually do. I'm talking of Disney of course. We all 'know' Mickey Mouse, but how many of us have actually seen a Mickey Mouse animation 'short' (it's odd then that Bugs Bunny has been watched far more but has nowhere near the popularity)?
How many have seen The Sorcerer's Apprentice? Maybe a few have, but not most. Then there is Minnie, two dogs (Pluto and Goofy- one speaks, the other does not), and the Donald Duck clan. I don't wish to talk much about Disney, but rather about Pokemon. But Disney is worth pointing out because like Pokemon both are extremely successful spinoff phenomena based upon very different models.
Actually, as you well know, Disney began to diversify and become very active in producing new feature animations beginning the 90's. While the Disney features themselves were highly successful, the spinoffs continue to be decidedly dominated by the classic characters rather than by characters such as the Lion King. Pokemon spinoffs operate on the central Pokemon concept of evolution. For example, the most recent game release for Pokemon is Pokemon Black and White. And in Pokemon stores it is now Pokemon Black and White spinoffs- from the Pokemon stuffed toys to the Pokemon card game with the new Pokemon Black and White cards- that are red hot and flying off the shelves. Just try shopping at a Pokemon shop on a Sunday- you will learn the hard way! Pokemon spinoffs sell incredibly well.
Another reason is that to young minds, Pokemon represents a whole world. When we buy a Mickey Mouse keychain, it is an icon that everyone knows. The fun of Pokemon is in owning characters that no one knows. What's more, its fun knowing their powers and limits and explaining them to friends and family. Fortunately or not, my son actually regularly quizzes me on Pokemon. Pokemon are diverse, which makes them potentially confusing. But they are also well grouped into easy to understand categories. It is good for children's minds to classify and group Pokemon and have knowledge on them. Pokemon, as a sales phenomenon, is completely different from Disney.
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plush that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Pokemon-Spinoffs---The-List-Is-Long&id=6442436] Pokemon Spinoffs - The List Is Long
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Cartoon Character Licensing - Hi Betty Boop!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Adrian_Chye]Adrian Chye
Who is Betty Boop?
Betty Boop is perhaps one of the most celebrated cartoon characters of all time. The sexy, breathy, independent Betty (created by Max Fleisher in the 1930's) made her debut in Dizzy Dishes, a cartoon made by Paramount Pictures as a talking French Poodle. In true animation spirit, however, by her next appearance she had morphed from a poodle into a curvaceous girl with big dark eyes and a little miss innocence voice.
The woman/girl version of Betty Boop was a caricature of singer Helen Kane though the voice was first 'done' by Margie Hines, though later episodes would be voiced by a number of actresses, most notable of whom was Mae Questel; the Boop mistress who began voicing the part in 1931 and continued the character until she died in 1998. Today's Betty Boop is performed by Tress MacNeille in cartoons and Tara Strong when presented in commercials.
A Short History of Betty Boop Character Licensing
Originally all the rights to the character were owned exclusively by Paramount Pictures. While the character was very popular and Paramount Pictures was very happy with its sales, the National Legion of Decency combined with the Production Code of 1934 severely altered the content of the Betty Boop cartoons. While she had originally been innocently sexual and the cartoon had been rife with sexual innuendos, the 1934 Production Code called for stricter alterations, and the popularity of the character began to decline a bit as she became more 'societal acceptable.' Finally in 1955 the 110 appearances she had made in cartoons to that date were sold by Paramount Pictures and bought by a television syndicator by the name of UM&M TV Corporation. A year later UM&M was bought out by National Telefilm Associates (NTA) which later reorganized to become Republic Pictures during the 1980's an organization currently a subsidiary of Viacom who is (wait for it) the parent company of Paramount Pictures. Betty Boop has come home.
The recent revival of Betty Boop interest in the last three decades has increased the value of the cartoon and merchandising licenses with great numbers of products bearing her image as well as VHS and DVD reproductions of all of the original and more recent cartoons featuring the stunning Ms. Boop.
Currently the license for the cartoons (as reproduced in movies) rests with Lionsgate Home Entertainment under a license from Republic. The television rights are held by Trifecta. Interestingly enough, however, it is the merchandising license (originated by Max Fleischer's heirs and currently owned by Fleischer Studios) that have garnered the most income and recognition, for you see her everywhere; on T-shirts and mugs and handbags; winking and slinking and being innocently seductive, an unexpected and unplanned American Icon.
Adrian Chye is a Technoprenuer who runs a Digital Media & [http://www.media-freaks.com]3d animation company and has successfully raised investments for various projects, including the cartoon series [http://www.media-freaks.com/sedodog]Sedo Dog.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Cartoon-Character-Licensing---Hi-Betty-Boop!&id=6437098] Cartoon Character Licensing - Hi Betty Boop!
Who is Betty Boop?
Betty Boop is perhaps one of the most celebrated cartoon characters of all time. The sexy, breathy, independent Betty (created by Max Fleisher in the 1930's) made her debut in Dizzy Dishes, a cartoon made by Paramount Pictures as a talking French Poodle. In true animation spirit, however, by her next appearance she had morphed from a poodle into a curvaceous girl with big dark eyes and a little miss innocence voice.
The woman/girl version of Betty Boop was a caricature of singer Helen Kane though the voice was first 'done' by Margie Hines, though later episodes would be voiced by a number of actresses, most notable of whom was Mae Questel; the Boop mistress who began voicing the part in 1931 and continued the character until she died in 1998. Today's Betty Boop is performed by Tress MacNeille in cartoons and Tara Strong when presented in commercials.
A Short History of Betty Boop Character Licensing
Originally all the rights to the character were owned exclusively by Paramount Pictures. While the character was very popular and Paramount Pictures was very happy with its sales, the National Legion of Decency combined with the Production Code of 1934 severely altered the content of the Betty Boop cartoons. While she had originally been innocently sexual and the cartoon had been rife with sexual innuendos, the 1934 Production Code called for stricter alterations, and the popularity of the character began to decline a bit as she became more 'societal acceptable.' Finally in 1955 the 110 appearances she had made in cartoons to that date were sold by Paramount Pictures and bought by a television syndicator by the name of UM&M TV Corporation. A year later UM&M was bought out by National Telefilm Associates (NTA) which later reorganized to become Republic Pictures during the 1980's an organization currently a subsidiary of Viacom who is (wait for it) the parent company of Paramount Pictures. Betty Boop has come home.
The recent revival of Betty Boop interest in the last three decades has increased the value of the cartoon and merchandising licenses with great numbers of products bearing her image as well as VHS and DVD reproductions of all of the original and more recent cartoons featuring the stunning Ms. Boop.
Currently the license for the cartoons (as reproduced in movies) rests with Lionsgate Home Entertainment under a license from Republic. The television rights are held by Trifecta. Interestingly enough, however, it is the merchandising license (originated by Max Fleischer's heirs and currently owned by Fleischer Studios) that have garnered the most income and recognition, for you see her everywhere; on T-shirts and mugs and handbags; winking and slinking and being innocently seductive, an unexpected and unplanned American Icon.
Adrian Chye is a Technoprenuer who runs a Digital Media & [http://www.media-freaks.com]3d animation company and has successfully raised investments for various projects, including the cartoon series [http://www.media-freaks.com/sedodog]Sedo Dog.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Cartoon-Character-Licensing---Hi-Betty-Boop!&id=6437098] Cartoon Character Licensing - Hi Betty Boop!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Pokemon Potentiality - Possibilities in Evolution
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dinah_Jackson]Dinah Jackson
OK, so Pokemon evolve and when they do they usually emerge with new, formidable powers. This is why, in the Pokemon Card Game for example, a relatively harmless cute little guy with a little sting may be worth a lot of Pokemon points because of his evolution potential. But the Pokemons' powers are always static, that is to say that their powers don't necessarily fluctuate due to factors like sunlight or isotope intake for example.
The Pokemon game could be made more dynamic if the strength of any given Pokemon's power at any given time were less predictable. Just as keepers of a Tamagochi need to feed their chick to keep it happy, so too could exposure to variable elements make a Pokemon more formidable in battle. Conversely, a search of empowering elements that does not result in a find could result in a battle with a Pokemon who is not at full strength and must therefore count on its maneuverability rather than solely on its power. This would give the game more levels, texture, and guesswork. Since an opponent would not be at the actual strength of his rival beforehand, he would have to evaluate his strategies as the battle went on. I think it's an excellent idea.
The second addition that could be made to Pokemon power would be to add the number and types of powers that the Pokemon already possess. Other possibilities are add-on powers that the Pokemon could acquire by 'ingesting' various power pellets that would morph then into the Pokemon's physiology. Extra power would come at a cost however.
What kind of extra powers we could add is only the limit of the imagination. We could make up new things, or draw from physics. I like the idea of a 'quantum trap' in which the Pokemon is suddenly at all places in the arena at the same time. By absorbing sunlight into the eyes (star gazing), certain Pokemon could develop the power to project lasers from their eyes, and each spectrum could produce different destructive powers (blue to vaporize, for example, red to melt). There are also many rays that we cannot see, such as gamma rays that could become invisible weapons. The list could go on and on.
To change the topic, did you know that the latest craze in Pokemon merchandising is Pokemon Black and White? This summer, wherever Pokemon goods are sold, you can be sure to find Pokemon Black and White Plushies (plush dolls or stuffed toys), and the card game is now full of new Pokemon Black and White cards, including shiny raikou and shiny entei. Whether it be you or your child, enjoy!
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plushie that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Pokemon-Potentiality---Possibilities-in-Evolution&id=6442429] Pokemon Potentiality - Possibilities in Evolution
OK, so Pokemon evolve and when they do they usually emerge with new, formidable powers. This is why, in the Pokemon Card Game for example, a relatively harmless cute little guy with a little sting may be worth a lot of Pokemon points because of his evolution potential. But the Pokemons' powers are always static, that is to say that their powers don't necessarily fluctuate due to factors like sunlight or isotope intake for example.
The Pokemon game could be made more dynamic if the strength of any given Pokemon's power at any given time were less predictable. Just as keepers of a Tamagochi need to feed their chick to keep it happy, so too could exposure to variable elements make a Pokemon more formidable in battle. Conversely, a search of empowering elements that does not result in a find could result in a battle with a Pokemon who is not at full strength and must therefore count on its maneuverability rather than solely on its power. This would give the game more levels, texture, and guesswork. Since an opponent would not be at the actual strength of his rival beforehand, he would have to evaluate his strategies as the battle went on. I think it's an excellent idea.
The second addition that could be made to Pokemon power would be to add the number and types of powers that the Pokemon already possess. Other possibilities are add-on powers that the Pokemon could acquire by 'ingesting' various power pellets that would morph then into the Pokemon's physiology. Extra power would come at a cost however.
What kind of extra powers we could add is only the limit of the imagination. We could make up new things, or draw from physics. I like the idea of a 'quantum trap' in which the Pokemon is suddenly at all places in the arena at the same time. By absorbing sunlight into the eyes (star gazing), certain Pokemon could develop the power to project lasers from their eyes, and each spectrum could produce different destructive powers (blue to vaporize, for example, red to melt). There are also many rays that we cannot see, such as gamma rays that could become invisible weapons. The list could go on and on.
To change the topic, did you know that the latest craze in Pokemon merchandising is Pokemon Black and White? This summer, wherever Pokemon goods are sold, you can be sure to find Pokemon Black and White Plushies (plush dolls or stuffed toys), and the card game is now full of new Pokemon Black and White cards, including shiny raikou and shiny entei. Whether it be you or your child, enjoy!
To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon items, check out the store that has every kind of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com]Pokemon plushie that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of [http://www.hardrock-pokemon.com/PokemonPlushToy]Pokemon pokedolls, charms, straps, plush toys, promo cards, keychains, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, plush toys, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Pokemon-Potentiality---Possibilities-in-Evolution&id=6442429] Pokemon Potentiality - Possibilities in Evolution
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Chuck Jones and Chuck Jones Art
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Adam_P_Shore]Adam P Shore
"Chuck" Jones (Charles Martin Jones) was an American cartoon artist and animator. He was also a screenwriter, producer and director of animated films. He is best known for his Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts for Warner Brothers. The cartoons he directed contained some of the best known cartoon characters such as Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote as well as many more. Among his works of prominence was the 'Hunting Trilogy'. This incredibly famous triptych comprised of Rabbit Fire, Rabbit Seasoning and Duck! Rabbit, Duck.
In 1933 Jones joined the independent studio Leon Scheslinger that produced Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes for Warner Brothers. Initially joining as an assistant animator he was promoted to animator in 1935. During World War II Jones worked closely with Dr Seuss and they created the Private Snafu series. Jones also collaborated with Dr Seuss to adapt several of his books in to animated form, most notably How The Grinch Stole Christmas! He also directed a campaign film for Franklin D. Roosevelt called Hell-Bent For Election.
It was during the 1950s that Jones created his most memorable works. It was in the 50's he created Pepe Le Pew, Wile E Coyote and Roadrunner. The Roadrunner cartoons are widely considered to be masterpieces with generation of children raised on them.
Upon finishing at Warner Brothers in 1962, Jones started his own company called Sib Tower 12 Productions which produced cartoons for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Further down the line he opened his own studio called Chuck Jones Productions which produced several one shot specials while also working on some Looney Tunes related products.
It was in his later life throughout the 1980's and 1990's that Jones painted cartoon and parody art which was sold by his daughter through her company Linda Jones Enterprises. Despite this change of focus Jones was also still active with onscreen work as he was the character designer and creative consultant for a couple of Raggedy Ann animated specials and the very first Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas special. Throughout this time he continued to direct, most notably a long sequence in the Stay Tuned film that was released in 1992; he also directed the animation at the start of the Robin Williams film Mrs Doubtfire.
Sadly Jones passed away in February 2002 leaving a legacy of work that will live on forever. Chuck Jones artwork is still available today and is much sought after by an army of avid fans.
Adam Shore http://www.artyougrewupwith.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Chuck-Jones-and-Chuck-Jones-Art&id=6460208] Chuck Jones and Chuck Jones Art
"Chuck" Jones (Charles Martin Jones) was an American cartoon artist and animator. He was also a screenwriter, producer and director of animated films. He is best known for his Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts for Warner Brothers. The cartoons he directed contained some of the best known cartoon characters such as Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote as well as many more. Among his works of prominence was the 'Hunting Trilogy'. This incredibly famous triptych comprised of Rabbit Fire, Rabbit Seasoning and Duck! Rabbit, Duck.
In 1933 Jones joined the independent studio Leon Scheslinger that produced Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes for Warner Brothers. Initially joining as an assistant animator he was promoted to animator in 1935. During World War II Jones worked closely with Dr Seuss and they created the Private Snafu series. Jones also collaborated with Dr Seuss to adapt several of his books in to animated form, most notably How The Grinch Stole Christmas! He also directed a campaign film for Franklin D. Roosevelt called Hell-Bent For Election.
It was during the 1950s that Jones created his most memorable works. It was in the 50's he created Pepe Le Pew, Wile E Coyote and Roadrunner. The Roadrunner cartoons are widely considered to be masterpieces with generation of children raised on them.
Upon finishing at Warner Brothers in 1962, Jones started his own company called Sib Tower 12 Productions which produced cartoons for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Further down the line he opened his own studio called Chuck Jones Productions which produced several one shot specials while also working on some Looney Tunes related products.
It was in his later life throughout the 1980's and 1990's that Jones painted cartoon and parody art which was sold by his daughter through her company Linda Jones Enterprises. Despite this change of focus Jones was also still active with onscreen work as he was the character designer and creative consultant for a couple of Raggedy Ann animated specials and the very first Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas special. Throughout this time he continued to direct, most notably a long sequence in the Stay Tuned film that was released in 1992; he also directed the animation at the start of the Robin Williams film Mrs Doubtfire.
Sadly Jones passed away in February 2002 leaving a legacy of work that will live on forever. Chuck Jones artwork is still available today and is much sought after by an army of avid fans.
Adam Shore http://www.artyougrewupwith.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Chuck-Jones-and-Chuck-Jones-Art&id=6460208] Chuck Jones and Chuck Jones Art
Monday, February 6, 2012
Cartoon Character Licensing - Hi Winnie the Pooh!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Adrian_Chye]Adrian Chye
From British Book to US Theater
Who doesn't love Winnie the Pooh? In "The House at Pooh Corner" A.A. Milne introduced Winne the Pooh, Kanga, Tigger, Eeyore and the other characters that live in the hundred acre wood of Christopher Robin's imagination. The book, illustrated by E.H. Sheperd, was an instant success and in 1930's the agreement for US rights was reached between Author A.A. Milne and Illustrator Stephen Slesinger. Disney purchased the US rights in the 1960's and a legend was born when the animated classics in the original Winnie the Pooh series first reached theaters and in 1969 Slesinger transferred exclusive merchandising rights over to Disney.
Due to the nature of the Disney animated characters being so very different from the original drawings, and the popularity of the Pooh Bear movies, Disney was the one enlisted to market all of the Pooh merchandise including books, games, toys, stuffed animals, movies and all sorts of assorted products from key chains to mugs to board games, and the productivity of the Winnie the Pooh characters became a multi-million-dollar business, a fact that did not slip by Slesinger's heirs.
The Licensing Battle Begins
In 1991, the Slesingers sued Disney, claiming that the merchandising agreement of 1969 was being violated and asked for 'their share' of the profits Pooh had thus far generated, but their case was thrown out when it was shown that Slesinger had stolen documents from Milne (as supported by the Author's granddaughter).
The case re-opened in 2005 when Slesinger's heirs once again tried to gain a percentage of the merchandising profits made by Disney in relation to Pooh Bear and the other Pooh Bear characters, but as of 2011 Disney now owns exclusive and sole rights to all the rights (US and Worldwide) of Winnie the Pooh and his illustrious hundred acre wood crowd.
Character Licensing Issues Spawned by Pooh
While today's cartoon characters are subjected to all manner of legal specifications when contracts are being drawn up, the licensing specifications of the 1930's were much broader and did not include details for the kind of production and merchandising that Pooh Bear and his cohorts were about to be subjected to. Even the turnover of merchandising rights in 1969 could not possibly have foreseen the sheer volume of merchandise that would be generated by a stuffed bear and his companions.
It is the very nature of this Winnie the Pooh debate that has spurred legal contracts in the Cartoon Character Licensing fields to leave open-ended clauses that cover any and all possible future technologies and merchandising fields and/or opportunities to ensure that these sorts of battles do not become an issue in the future.
Adrian Chye is a Technoprenuer who runs a Digital Media & [http://www.media-freaks.com]3d animation company and has successfully raised investments for various projects, including the cartoon series [http://www.media-freaks.com/sedodog]Sedo Dog.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Cartoon-Character-Licensing---Hi-Winnie-the-Pooh!&id=6483433] Cartoon Character Licensing - Hi Winnie the Pooh!
From British Book to US Theater
Who doesn't love Winnie the Pooh? In "The House at Pooh Corner" A.A. Milne introduced Winne the Pooh, Kanga, Tigger, Eeyore and the other characters that live in the hundred acre wood of Christopher Robin's imagination. The book, illustrated by E.H. Sheperd, was an instant success and in 1930's the agreement for US rights was reached between Author A.A. Milne and Illustrator Stephen Slesinger. Disney purchased the US rights in the 1960's and a legend was born when the animated classics in the original Winnie the Pooh series first reached theaters and in 1969 Slesinger transferred exclusive merchandising rights over to Disney.
Due to the nature of the Disney animated characters being so very different from the original drawings, and the popularity of the Pooh Bear movies, Disney was the one enlisted to market all of the Pooh merchandise including books, games, toys, stuffed animals, movies and all sorts of assorted products from key chains to mugs to board games, and the productivity of the Winnie the Pooh characters became a multi-million-dollar business, a fact that did not slip by Slesinger's heirs.
The Licensing Battle Begins
In 1991, the Slesingers sued Disney, claiming that the merchandising agreement of 1969 was being violated and asked for 'their share' of the profits Pooh had thus far generated, but their case was thrown out when it was shown that Slesinger had stolen documents from Milne (as supported by the Author's granddaughter).
The case re-opened in 2005 when Slesinger's heirs once again tried to gain a percentage of the merchandising profits made by Disney in relation to Pooh Bear and the other Pooh Bear characters, but as of 2011 Disney now owns exclusive and sole rights to all the rights (US and Worldwide) of Winnie the Pooh and his illustrious hundred acre wood crowd.
Character Licensing Issues Spawned by Pooh
While today's cartoon characters are subjected to all manner of legal specifications when contracts are being drawn up, the licensing specifications of the 1930's were much broader and did not include details for the kind of production and merchandising that Pooh Bear and his cohorts were about to be subjected to. Even the turnover of merchandising rights in 1969 could not possibly have foreseen the sheer volume of merchandise that would be generated by a stuffed bear and his companions.
It is the very nature of this Winnie the Pooh debate that has spurred legal contracts in the Cartoon Character Licensing fields to leave open-ended clauses that cover any and all possible future technologies and merchandising fields and/or opportunities to ensure that these sorts of battles do not become an issue in the future.
Adrian Chye is a Technoprenuer who runs a Digital Media & [http://www.media-freaks.com]3d animation company and has successfully raised investments for various projects, including the cartoon series [http://www.media-freaks.com/sedodog]Sedo Dog.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Cartoon-Character-Licensing---Hi-Winnie-the-Pooh!&id=6483433] Cartoon Character Licensing - Hi Winnie the Pooh!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
What Characters Will Benefit From The DC Reboot The Most?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Simon_Walters]Simon Walters
With the DC comic revamp just around the corner, I've decided to look at what characters might benefit mostly from the shake-up. With a huge 52 titles set to be released in September, DC is showing that they are serious about their characters, and I for one can't wait.
1- Superman
Superman is the character most affected by the upcoming reboot. With a new origin, and a new costume, DC attempts to modernize Superman for the 21st century. Starring in three different series, (Action Comics- Grant Morrison, Superman- George P�rez, Justice League- Geoff Johns) Superman is DC's top priority heading into September. With a new movie on the way, The Man of Steel needs to quickly establish a new fan base, and writer Grant Morrison describes Action Comics 1# as an action comic that recreates Superman in lots of different ways. After years of fans arguing Superman is too overpowered and incorruptible, DC have promised to show us, just who Superman is, and what motivates him to don a costume and fight against evil. Anything Superman with Grant Morrison involved is sure to be a hit (just see his work on All-Star Superman), and it's about time The Man of Steel gets back to top spot as the world's top superhero.
2-The Flash (Barry Allen)
To decision to put Barry Allen back as The Flash in 2008 angered a lot of people. Fans thought Barry's nephew, Wally West had come so far in character development, and taking away the Flash mantle from him was a bad move. In my opinion, apart from some stand out moments in 'Blackest Night' Barry has yet to make the Flash his own again. Well, now's the time for Barry to justify why he's the definitive Flash, and what better way for him to do it then when a close friend becomes a an all new villain who can be everywhere at once.
3- Green Arrow
With Marvel's archer Hawkeye currently getting all of the attention, now couldn't be a better time for Oliver Queen to get himself a new series. "Armed with cutting edge technology and illegal gained Intel, Green Arrow is shooting first and asking questions later." What I love about Green Arrow is that he's morally ambiguous. He is a fairly right-wing hero, who isn't afraid to put villains down for good in certain circumstances. With the new reboot putting Oliver Queen back to basics, hopefully new readers will realise just how interesting Green Arrow is as a character and that a Robin Hood look alike beats a guy in purple spandex any day. DC just needs to avoid making Green Arrow too similar to Tony Stark, and I'm sure this series will do wonders for the character. Did I mention the fact that his bow now has blades at both ends?
4-Nightwing
When Haley's Circus (the circus where Dick once performed) returns to Gotham, along with murder and mystery, Nightwing must confront his past and face new and old enemies. Dick Grayson never really fitted the persona of Batman. His acrobatic fighting style, and his upbeat personality didn't exactly install great fear. With Bruce back as the Caped Crusader, Dick returns once more as Nightwing. The reboot has given Grayson a new black and red colour scheme for his suit, which indicates DC intend on making Nightwing the coolest character in comic books again. Hopefully his new series will have plenty of action, and a hook up with Barbara Gordon not too far down the line. Marvel have proven former sidekicks such as Bucky Barnes can be just as popular if not more so than their respective heroes, so hopefully DC will have the same success with Nightwing.
So there you have it. These are the top 4 characters I think will benefit most from the DC comics revamp. With a whopping 52 titles set to be released, there are sure to be some stinkers, but as far as these four characters go things are about to get big. Other names such as Wonder Woman and Aquaman also have a shot at finding glory, but only time will tell. Bring on September! http://simonwalters.wordpress.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Characters-Will-Benefit-From-The-DC-Reboot-The-Most?&id=6501835] What Characters Will Benefit From The DC Reboot The Most?
With the DC comic revamp just around the corner, I've decided to look at what characters might benefit mostly from the shake-up. With a huge 52 titles set to be released in September, DC is showing that they are serious about their characters, and I for one can't wait.
1- Superman
Superman is the character most affected by the upcoming reboot. With a new origin, and a new costume, DC attempts to modernize Superman for the 21st century. Starring in three different series, (Action Comics- Grant Morrison, Superman- George P�rez, Justice League- Geoff Johns) Superman is DC's top priority heading into September. With a new movie on the way, The Man of Steel needs to quickly establish a new fan base, and writer Grant Morrison describes Action Comics 1# as an action comic that recreates Superman in lots of different ways. After years of fans arguing Superman is too overpowered and incorruptible, DC have promised to show us, just who Superman is, and what motivates him to don a costume and fight against evil. Anything Superman with Grant Morrison involved is sure to be a hit (just see his work on All-Star Superman), and it's about time The Man of Steel gets back to top spot as the world's top superhero.
2-The Flash (Barry Allen)
To decision to put Barry Allen back as The Flash in 2008 angered a lot of people. Fans thought Barry's nephew, Wally West had come so far in character development, and taking away the Flash mantle from him was a bad move. In my opinion, apart from some stand out moments in 'Blackest Night' Barry has yet to make the Flash his own again. Well, now's the time for Barry to justify why he's the definitive Flash, and what better way for him to do it then when a close friend becomes a an all new villain who can be everywhere at once.
3- Green Arrow
With Marvel's archer Hawkeye currently getting all of the attention, now couldn't be a better time for Oliver Queen to get himself a new series. "Armed with cutting edge technology and illegal gained Intel, Green Arrow is shooting first and asking questions later." What I love about Green Arrow is that he's morally ambiguous. He is a fairly right-wing hero, who isn't afraid to put villains down for good in certain circumstances. With the new reboot putting Oliver Queen back to basics, hopefully new readers will realise just how interesting Green Arrow is as a character and that a Robin Hood look alike beats a guy in purple spandex any day. DC just needs to avoid making Green Arrow too similar to Tony Stark, and I'm sure this series will do wonders for the character. Did I mention the fact that his bow now has blades at both ends?
4-Nightwing
When Haley's Circus (the circus where Dick once performed) returns to Gotham, along with murder and mystery, Nightwing must confront his past and face new and old enemies. Dick Grayson never really fitted the persona of Batman. His acrobatic fighting style, and his upbeat personality didn't exactly install great fear. With Bruce back as the Caped Crusader, Dick returns once more as Nightwing. The reboot has given Grayson a new black and red colour scheme for his suit, which indicates DC intend on making Nightwing the coolest character in comic books again. Hopefully his new series will have plenty of action, and a hook up with Barbara Gordon not too far down the line. Marvel have proven former sidekicks such as Bucky Barnes can be just as popular if not more so than their respective heroes, so hopefully DC will have the same success with Nightwing.
So there you have it. These are the top 4 characters I think will benefit most from the DC comics revamp. With a whopping 52 titles set to be released, there are sure to be some stinkers, but as far as these four characters go things are about to get big. Other names such as Wonder Woman and Aquaman also have a shot at finding glory, but only time will tell. Bring on September! http://simonwalters.wordpress.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Characters-Will-Benefit-From-The-DC-Reboot-The-Most?&id=6501835] What Characters Will Benefit From The DC Reboot The Most?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Discover the Types of Animation System
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jennie_Kakkad]Jennie Kakkad
Computer animation is a branch of study in the area of computer graphics and animation technologies. It is a creative field that involves creating moving images (individual characters or real-life scenarios or both) by using various software and other animation tools. All these images are normally created on a computer and then can be converted into movies for big screen shows. Cartoons and animation pictures are an apt example of computer animation. 3-D animation that involves the use of three-dimensional effects is widely preferred. It makes the animated image look as natural as a real-life image.
It is divided into two broad categories, computer-generated animation and computer-assisted animation. In the former category, the animation is solely created on a computer system. In another type, an already created animation is computerized by adding various effects.
There are many different types that have their own distinctive features and characteristics. Scripting Systems are one of the oldest systems of such technology that focus on controlling movement of images. The animator had to identify and code very movement depicted in the storyboard for the animation. Thus, knowing this computer language was a prerequisite for every aspiring animator.
ASAS
One of the popular scripting systems was ASAS (Actor Script Animation Language). The system introduced the concept of an actor. Every actor is an object that has its own animation rules. For example, the object 'car' is an object. It has an in-built coding that makes its wheel rotate in tandem while showing a moving image of the car. This reduces the effort to a great extent that now needs to focus on adding such obvious details.
Behavioral Animation
It involved defining the rules of behavior for every identified object or actor. For instance, a hungry dog looks gloomy.
Procedural Animation
Procedure is a type of system that shows a series of movement in a period of time. Here, the underlying principal is that of 'Cause and Effect.' For example, a speedy truck caused the roadside dustbin to fly in the air, which fell on the head of a sleeping man.
Representational Animation
This system allows an object to change its shape in different ways. This proves to be a inspiring and interesting system that adds value to this computer language.
Stochastic Animation
It involves the use of stochastic processes to co-ordinate groups of actors of an animating scene. For instance, a scene of rain involves clouds, rain drops, a wet person, etc.
Check for more on [http://www.animation.in]Animation
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Discover-the-Types-of-Animation-System&id=6493094] Discover the Types of Animation System
Computer animation is a branch of study in the area of computer graphics and animation technologies. It is a creative field that involves creating moving images (individual characters or real-life scenarios or both) by using various software and other animation tools. All these images are normally created on a computer and then can be converted into movies for big screen shows. Cartoons and animation pictures are an apt example of computer animation. 3-D animation that involves the use of three-dimensional effects is widely preferred. It makes the animated image look as natural as a real-life image.
It is divided into two broad categories, computer-generated animation and computer-assisted animation. In the former category, the animation is solely created on a computer system. In another type, an already created animation is computerized by adding various effects.
There are many different types that have their own distinctive features and characteristics. Scripting Systems are one of the oldest systems of such technology that focus on controlling movement of images. The animator had to identify and code very movement depicted in the storyboard for the animation. Thus, knowing this computer language was a prerequisite for every aspiring animator.
ASAS
One of the popular scripting systems was ASAS (Actor Script Animation Language). The system introduced the concept of an actor. Every actor is an object that has its own animation rules. For example, the object 'car' is an object. It has an in-built coding that makes its wheel rotate in tandem while showing a moving image of the car. This reduces the effort to a great extent that now needs to focus on adding such obvious details.
Behavioral Animation
It involved defining the rules of behavior for every identified object or actor. For instance, a hungry dog looks gloomy.
Procedural Animation
Procedure is a type of system that shows a series of movement in a period of time. Here, the underlying principal is that of 'Cause and Effect.' For example, a speedy truck caused the roadside dustbin to fly in the air, which fell on the head of a sleeping man.
Representational Animation
This system allows an object to change its shape in different ways. This proves to be a inspiring and interesting system that adds value to this computer language.
Stochastic Animation
It involves the use of stochastic processes to co-ordinate groups of actors of an animating scene. For instance, a scene of rain involves clouds, rain drops, a wet person, etc.
Check for more on [http://www.animation.in]Animation
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Discover-the-Types-of-Animation-System&id=6493094] Discover the Types of Animation System
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Simpsons - Not Just A Comedy Show!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Neveen_Gohar]Neveen Gohar
Everyone, including those not very interested in cartoons, heard about "The Simpsons". It is a long-running series created by Matt Groening, with 21 seasons and the 22nd currently running. As my personal favorite, I have noticed a lot of hidden messages in different episodes, beyond a sarcastic comedy show.
Never give up...
The episode "The last exit to Springfield-Season 4" is about a strike at the nuclear power plant where Homer works, because Mr. Burns - the boss - wants to take away the dental plan from the workers. It was Homer who started the strike (despite his usually lazy character) because his daughter, Lisa, happens to need braces on the very same day. The way Homer negotiates with the evil Mr. Burns till he gets his rights, without accepting dishonest bribe, is remarkable and depicts how rights can be taken, fair and square, with consistency and the never-give- up attitude.
Don't believe everything...
"Treehouse of horror" are a series of episodes that include horror fantasies, one in every season, and are usually associated with Halloween. In the episode "Treehouse of Horror VI -Season 7", Homer, who adores doughnuts, manages to steal a doughnut held by Lard Lad, the mascot for a doughnut store. Eventually, all mascots from all stores start attacking people!!! And guess what saves him along with everyone in town..Ignoring them!! It is noteworthy that the writer indirectly warned people about advertising fallacies, since advertisements now evaded our TVs, newspapers, streets, buses, everywhere...
It's our good memories that keep us bonded...
In the episode "Lisa on ice- Season 6", Lisa fails gym and is selected by coincidence to join a hockey team, which is her only chance to add gym to her straight As.She and her brother Bart start being so competitive since Bart is already good at sports and plays hockey too, until one day both teams challenge each other, a game that both Bart and Lisa took too seriously...The final shot in the game is a penalty shot by Bart against Lisa, but then...they looked to each other and remembered all the good gestures they did to each other when they were younger (like Lisa helping Bart when his knee was injured, and Bart giving one of his ice-cream scoops because hers which fell on the floor). Lisa smiled and Bart smiled back....They dropped the hockey equipment and gave each other a nice brotherly hug. This highlights the fact that no matter what happens, you will always find a lot to remember for the people you love, your family and friends or even co-workers, so there's no point at all in letting life shake the special bonds you share with your loved ones...
Show appreciation...
In another episode "Homer Alone- Season 3", Marge gets too worked out from the housework and from the extra stress because no one in the family is helping. They all just expect her to do every little thing and listen to each and every complain or question they have. So she decides to go on a vacation by herself, leaving Bart and Lisa to their not-so-loved twin aunts, Patty and Selma, and leaves baby Maggie with Homer. When she leaves to Rancho Relaxo to get a calming vacation, Homer realizes he can do nothing without her, and the kids aren't that happy either at their aunts'. Upon Marge's return, she finds what a mess her family has been without her, and that's when they start realizing what she really is...
Clearly, it applies to many of our own homes, when someone is doing all the hard work - a mother, a father or even grandparents- without even getting a "Thank you" in return. It simply urges us to appreciate every little favor done to us, even outside the house, from friends or colleagues and makes us think of those special people in our lives, who do too much and ask too little.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Simpsons---Not-Just-A-Comedy-Show!&id=6297751] The Simpsons - Not Just A Comedy Show!
Everyone, including those not very interested in cartoons, heard about "The Simpsons". It is a long-running series created by Matt Groening, with 21 seasons and the 22nd currently running. As my personal favorite, I have noticed a lot of hidden messages in different episodes, beyond a sarcastic comedy show.
Never give up...
The episode "The last exit to Springfield-Season 4" is about a strike at the nuclear power plant where Homer works, because Mr. Burns - the boss - wants to take away the dental plan from the workers. It was Homer who started the strike (despite his usually lazy character) because his daughter, Lisa, happens to need braces on the very same day. The way Homer negotiates with the evil Mr. Burns till he gets his rights, without accepting dishonest bribe, is remarkable and depicts how rights can be taken, fair and square, with consistency and the never-give- up attitude.
Don't believe everything...
"Treehouse of horror" are a series of episodes that include horror fantasies, one in every season, and are usually associated with Halloween. In the episode "Treehouse of Horror VI -Season 7", Homer, who adores doughnuts, manages to steal a doughnut held by Lard Lad, the mascot for a doughnut store. Eventually, all mascots from all stores start attacking people!!! And guess what saves him along with everyone in town..Ignoring them!! It is noteworthy that the writer indirectly warned people about advertising fallacies, since advertisements now evaded our TVs, newspapers, streets, buses, everywhere...
It's our good memories that keep us bonded...
In the episode "Lisa on ice- Season 6", Lisa fails gym and is selected by coincidence to join a hockey team, which is her only chance to add gym to her straight As.She and her brother Bart start being so competitive since Bart is already good at sports and plays hockey too, until one day both teams challenge each other, a game that both Bart and Lisa took too seriously...The final shot in the game is a penalty shot by Bart against Lisa, but then...they looked to each other and remembered all the good gestures they did to each other when they were younger (like Lisa helping Bart when his knee was injured, and Bart giving one of his ice-cream scoops because hers which fell on the floor). Lisa smiled and Bart smiled back....They dropped the hockey equipment and gave each other a nice brotherly hug. This highlights the fact that no matter what happens, you will always find a lot to remember for the people you love, your family and friends or even co-workers, so there's no point at all in letting life shake the special bonds you share with your loved ones...
Show appreciation...
In another episode "Homer Alone- Season 3", Marge gets too worked out from the housework and from the extra stress because no one in the family is helping. They all just expect her to do every little thing and listen to each and every complain or question they have. So she decides to go on a vacation by herself, leaving Bart and Lisa to their not-so-loved twin aunts, Patty and Selma, and leaves baby Maggie with Homer. When she leaves to Rancho Relaxo to get a calming vacation, Homer realizes he can do nothing without her, and the kids aren't that happy either at their aunts'. Upon Marge's return, she finds what a mess her family has been without her, and that's when they start realizing what she really is...
Clearly, it applies to many of our own homes, when someone is doing all the hard work - a mother, a father or even grandparents- without even getting a "Thank you" in return. It simply urges us to appreciate every little favor done to us, even outside the house, from friends or colleagues and makes us think of those special people in our lives, who do too much and ask too little.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Simpsons---Not-Just-A-Comedy-Show!&id=6297751] The Simpsons - Not Just A Comedy Show!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Why I Love My Work in 3d Animation Production
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mark_P_Hurst]Mark P Hurst
When I was younger, I honestly didn't think that when I grew up, I would wake up in the morning excited to go to a job that I felt a great love for. And yet, these days when my alarm goes off and it's time to get out of bed, I feel a great surge of excitement run through my veins, because I feel that I am setting out to do the work that I was truly meant to do! Of course, my journey to discovering this path wasn't smooth, and I had many doubts along the way if I would be cut out to work in 3D animation production. So, if you are considering a career in this line of work, and would like to know some of the major things that leave me excited to wake up each morning, I'd like to share with you what they are!
1. The combination of novelty and variety in work assignments, with exacting attention to detail as we seek to work toward our finished products.Whether we're working on a piece of very particular character animation, or a detailed rendering of an architectural design, the work is seldom exactly the same day to day...and I love that!
2. Using my creative talents to make a measurable impact in the world. It is an incredible feeling to look on the internet and see a piece that I've had a hand in creating--nothing can replace this feeling in terms of pride. How amazing that through 3D animation production I get to influence others...every day! I can't express how long it took for me to realize the value of passion in the work place. That extra level of care for what you are doing will cause you to make the cut every time and to go above and beyond. It's a win-win situation.
3. Working with a team of people at a 3D animation service who are also excited about what they do. When I go into work every day, there isn't a sense, either from me or my colleagues, that we're there because we have to be. We're there because we love what we're doing, take pride in it, and are eager to serve our customers.
In sum, I feel fortunate to have lucked out so much in my choice of career...now, if only I could get my personal life on the right track...
Mark Hurst has been working in the field of 3d animation for years. He is an expert designer and enjoys writing about the [http://www.3dar.com]3D animation service industry and his [http://www.3dar.com/3d-animation-production.php]3D animation production.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-I-Love-My-Work-in-3d-Animation-Production&id=6555967] Why I Love My Work in 3d Animation Production
When I was younger, I honestly didn't think that when I grew up, I would wake up in the morning excited to go to a job that I felt a great love for. And yet, these days when my alarm goes off and it's time to get out of bed, I feel a great surge of excitement run through my veins, because I feel that I am setting out to do the work that I was truly meant to do! Of course, my journey to discovering this path wasn't smooth, and I had many doubts along the way if I would be cut out to work in 3D animation production. So, if you are considering a career in this line of work, and would like to know some of the major things that leave me excited to wake up each morning, I'd like to share with you what they are!
1. The combination of novelty and variety in work assignments, with exacting attention to detail as we seek to work toward our finished products.Whether we're working on a piece of very particular character animation, or a detailed rendering of an architectural design, the work is seldom exactly the same day to day...and I love that!
2. Using my creative talents to make a measurable impact in the world. It is an incredible feeling to look on the internet and see a piece that I've had a hand in creating--nothing can replace this feeling in terms of pride. How amazing that through 3D animation production I get to influence others...every day! I can't express how long it took for me to realize the value of passion in the work place. That extra level of care for what you are doing will cause you to make the cut every time and to go above and beyond. It's a win-win situation.
3. Working with a team of people at a 3D animation service who are also excited about what they do. When I go into work every day, there isn't a sense, either from me or my colleagues, that we're there because we have to be. We're there because we love what we're doing, take pride in it, and are eager to serve our customers.
In sum, I feel fortunate to have lucked out so much in my choice of career...now, if only I could get my personal life on the right track...
Mark Hurst has been working in the field of 3d animation for years. He is an expert designer and enjoys writing about the [http://www.3dar.com]3D animation service industry and his [http://www.3dar.com/3d-animation-production.php]3D animation production.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-I-Love-My-Work-in-3d-Animation-Production&id=6555967] Why I Love My Work in 3d Animation Production
Friday, January 27, 2012
Modern American Animation
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ronald_Newman]Ronald Newman
This article describes the history of animation in the United States of America since the late 80's until the early twenty-first century. This period is often called the renaissance of American animation, during which many large American entertainment companies reform and reinvigorate its animation department after the decline suffered in the 60, 70 and 80.
From 1988 to the present
Disney's return
In the mid 80's, the American animation industry fell into disgrace. Toy commercials masquerading as entertainment programs cartoons dominated the evening and the morning of Saturday, and the only experiment was carried out by independent developers. Even animated films were projected in theaters at times, but the glory of the old days was gone. Even the animation giant Disney, which had fought a corporate acquisition in the 80's, was considering abandoning the production of animated feature films.
Both the enthusiastic audience, critics, and the animators were taken by surprise when the long-awaited renaissance of animation began in the oldest and most conservative corporation, Disney.
Disney had a drastic change in the 80, its new chief Michael Eisner the company relocated to his feet, returning to its roots and revitalizing their studies. With great fanfare, in 1988 the study worked with Steven Spielberg to produce the animated film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film was a success, and gave to the animation industry awaited push for that time. Roger Rabbit not only earned him a pile of money for Disney, but also sparked the popularity of the classic animation that continues to this day. The history of animation suddenly became an object of study (and their fans). Several directors, business legend, such as Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng were suddenly in the spotlight, being acclaimed after decades of being virtually ignored by audiences and industry professionals.
Disney continued the success of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? with "The Little Mermaid", the first of a series of animated films that seemed to recapture the magic of the golden age of Walt Disney himself. The studio invested heavily in new technology of computer animation for such purposes, but could do super-productions like "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin," which attracted audiences that were not seen in decades, and Once provided a visual feast that has not been exceeded since the 40. The peak of the hit Disney was in 1994 when his film "The Lion King" exceeded all expectations of the study to become one of the most successful of all time. Even later Disney films as "Pocahontas," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Hercules," "Mulan" and "Tarzan" was blockbusters.
Disney has also made inroads into the neglected area of the animated TV series. With the success of shows like "The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh", "The Adventures of the Gummi Bears Disney" and "Duck adventures", the "new" Disney made his mark in TV pictures. Through association and repetition, Disney can provide high quality animation for TV. A series of large diffusion was conducted in mid-nineties, with some critics designating "Gargoyles" as the Disney animation project for TV's most ambitious and best done artistically. The soundtracks of each of these animated films were an important part of its success, because Disney was including in each of these projects a loud voice from the world of music, such as Elton John (The Lion King), Luis Miguel (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Ricky Martin (Hercules), Christina Aguilera (Mulan), Celine Dion (Beauty and the Beast), Ricardo Montaner (Aladin), Jon Secada (Pocahontas), among others.
Spielberg and animation
Spielberg and Bluth
While Disney gave new life to animation, Steven Spielberg was making his own way. Animation amateur life, Spielberg was also interested in making high quality animation, and worked with his rival, Don Bluth animation producer to produce "Fievel and the New World." The box office success of this and Bluth's next film, "In The Land", Hollywood made him realize that Disney did not hold a monopoly on animated features. The other Hollywood studios resumed production of its own animated features, but still falling into the trap of trying to imitate Disney's 1997 film Don Bluth, "Anastasia", produced by Fox, is mentioned as the one launched the Fox Animation Studios and Disney's rival, however, these studies failed to succeed after "Anastasia" and closed in 1999. Like most successful productions of Disney, "Anastasia" was attended by Thalia, who played the central theme of the soundtrack in its versions in Spanish, English and Portuguese.
Spielberg and Warner Bros.
Spielberg, meanwhile, switched to TV and worked with animation studio Warner Bros. to produce "The Tiny Toon Adventures," a high quality animated series that paid homage to the great cartoons of Termite Terrace. "The Tiny Toon Adventures" had a good rating thanks to its young viewers, which inspired the Warner Bros to resurrect his dying animation studio and once again a contender in the field of animation. The Tiny Toon Steven Spielberg were continued by presenting "Animaniacs" and "Pinky and the Brain". The latter not only attracted new viewers to Warner Bros., but also captured the attention of viewers adolescents and adults.
Bakshi's return
Ralph Bakshi, director of innovative animated films like "Fritz the Cat" and original "Lord of the Rings", returned to animation after making a brief stop in the mid 80's. In 1985, he teamed up with the young Canadian animator John Kricfalusi and the legendary British band "The Rolling Stones" to make an animated music video for "The Harlem Shuffle", which was completed in early 1986. Although the music video did not talk much, he built a production team "Bakshi Animation" project continued with the short-lived but well received, "The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse." Bakshi & Co, worked on numerous projects at the end of the 80, but the biggest project was "Cool World: a blonde between two worlds", which premiered in 1992. The production got out of hand and ended up being severely criticized and forgotten by almost everyone.
Outsourcing animation
The main reason for increasing the quality of American animation is the ability to outsource the heavy lifting to cheaper animation houses in the South and Southeast Asia gaining a large number of frames at low cost. The script, character design and storyboarding is done in American offices. The storyboard, models and color books are mailed abroad. Sometimes causes problems because no final product can be completed until the frames are mailed to the U.S.. Although budgets have been reduced, foreign productions houses are chosen per episode, or even per scene, depending on the amount of money available at that time. As a result there is a big difference in quality from one episode to another. This is particularly evident in shows like "Gargoyles" and "Batman": The Animated Series where, sometimes, the characters seem completely different from one episode to the dismay of its directors.
Adult Animation
The Simpsons
In the 90's came a new wave of animated series whose primary aim was the adults, after an absence in the genre over a decade. In 1989, "The Simpsons," an animated short based on the "The Tracey Ullman Show," became the first animated series in prime time since "The Flintstones" and captivated a large part of the audience. It was the first hit series for the fledgling Fox, caused little sensitivity, entering popular culture and gaining wide acceptance. In 2008, "The Simpsons" seem to show no signs of stopping, and could surpass "Gunsmoke" as the fiction program on the air longer the history of American television. In 2007 have released their first film, titled "The Simpsons: The Movie", dubbed in Spanish and Chinese.
Ren and Stimpy
In 1991, Nickelodeon premiered "The Ren and Stimpy Show," "Ren and Stimpy" was a quirky series run riot violated all the traditional restrictions of correct drawings of Saturday morning and instead favored the quirky style of the short the golden era. Moreover, the series creator, John Kricfalusi, who had worked as an animator during the downturn of Saturday morning, was much influenced by the classic works of Bob Clampett.
Spike & Mike
Alongside mainstream animation nineties there was a strange and experimental movement. In a short animation festival in 1989, organized by Craig Decker and Mike Gribble Spike (known as "Spike & Mike") and originally located in San Diego. It all started with the representation of a collection of thematic short, known as the Classic Festival of Animation, in places of business meetings and trade throughout the country.
The collections were made mostly by Oscar-nominated short, works of students of the Institute of the Arts in California and experimental work of the National Film Board of Canada. The first festival included works by John Lasseter, Nick Park and Mike Judge. Judge's work, "Frog Baseball" marked the first appearance of their franchise characters Beavis and Butthead.
However, the festival gradually became a film program called Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation and turned into an underground movement of adult humor and subject matter.
Adult Swim
In 1994, Cartoon Network gave consent to a new series called "Space Ghost" coast to coast with a particular postmodern turn, showed live interviews with celebrities, mixed with cartoon animations original "Space Ghost." The series made the leap with the production of Hanna-Barbera, now owned by Cartoon Network. It was the beginning of a common practice used old Hanna-Barbera characters for new productions, as the surreal "Underwater Laboratory 2021", based on the cartoon short early 70's "Sealab 2020." Also, Harvey Birdman, attorney, on a mediocre superhero, Birdman which was originally the star of Birdman and Galaxy trio had become a lawyer. Its customers, like many of the characters in the series, came completely from old Hanna-Barbera characters.
In addition to large animation files old and cheap, independent animators also began to benefit from new digital technologies. An artist with sufficient technical skills could explore new styles and forms with much more freedom. The traditional animation skills of drawing and painting had given way to digital manipulation and aggressive use new techniques of animation.
Along with these new programs, the American audience, particularly in geographic areas influenced by fusion with the cultures of the Pacific coast, began to adopt Japanese cartoon, or anime, 80. This growing market for anime videos satisfy the public child and adolescent, with a large number of Japanese series translated into English. Initially access was limited to videos, but the anime as it became a mainstream found its way into the film department stores throughout the U.S.. As the animation occupies a different place in Japanese culture, including a range of issues not addressed by the American animation.
"Adult Swim" is a block of animation for adults that is issued at the start of primetime on Cartoon Network, leads the adult industry and has the latest technology in animation. Adult Swim, which originally aired on Sunday night in 2006 was in the air until 5:00 AM, and was broadcast every night except Friday. The series, which is produced exclusively for Adult Swim, as "The Brak Show," "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" and "Tom Goes to the Mayor", tend to be surreal and bizarre, but also considered fresh and original. Adult Swim reissued series "Futurama" and played an important role to avoid the cancellation of "Family Guy". In addition, it also issues numerous popular Anime series such as "FLCL", "Lupin III" and "Inuyasha."
Other drawings for adults
Other TV stations also experimented with animation for adults. MTV has produced several animated series especially for young and adult audiences, "Liquid Television" and "Beavis and Butthead". Even USA Network program found a cult following with his "Duckman show". But the adult animated series of the 90 most successful was "South Park" which premiered in 1996 as a cartoon pirate on the Internet.
The more fast-paced animation and disturbingly clandestine saw the light, the more dominant force in television animation was, led to an increasingly frenetic territory and perhaps eschatological, for example in "The Tick and Duckman."
In 2005, adult animation pioneer Ralph Bakshi said he would work on another film, "The Last Days of Coney Island" which he would finance and produce independently.
The decline of the Saturday Morning
After spending nearly a coma for over two decades, the American animation industry experienced a sudden growth in the 90. Several new studies appeared keen to take risks, and found a large number of markets to sell their talent. Along with the animated TV series, the animation used in television commercials, video games and music videos. The small animation studios challenged "Hanna-Barbera Productions" in the market for TV animation.
In fact, Hanna-Barbera could not compete with the new varieties of animation on the market. During the time that dominated the entire spectrum of pictures of the Saturday morning Hanna-Barbera had virtually no competition, causing a deterioration in the quality of its series. In the 90's, the study could only offer fried as "A Pup Named Scooby-Doo" and "Tom and Jerry Kids Show" to compete with "Fox Kids" and the new "WB Television Network" from Warner Bros. Hanna-Barbera stayed behind and found himself completely bought by Turner Broadcasting.
Hanna-Barbera not only had problems adapting to the changes that are spread all over the TV. The "Big Three" networks (ABC, NBC and CBS) found its loyal audience being eroded by competition from new channels, including new strains of "Cable TV" as Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network. Video games and movies available on video also helped change the market, to the point that for a time gave NBC cartoons altogether. The ABC was bought by Disney, and Disney turned the grill on Saturday in a series of Disney animated productions.
While the series animated in large networks seemed mediocre, the cable television cartoon achieved several successes. Nickelodeon did see light cult hits like "Doug," "Rugrats," "Ren and Stimpy," "Rocko's Modern Life," "SpongeBob," "Invader Zim" and "The Fairly OddParents." Meanwhile, a new owner of Hanna-Barbera, Time Warner, the study focused on the creation of new drawings for the Cartoon Network. Hanna-Barbera was an influx of fresh blood and a new generation of drawings of Hanna-Barbera cartoon was born as "Dexter's Laboratory," "Johnny Bravo", "Cow and Chicken", "Powerpuff Girls" and " Courage the Cowardly Dog. "
Still, each new piece of animation was not a gold mine. The Disney animated films began to suffer in quality to late 1990, after the producer Jeff Katzenberg left the studio and team up with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen to form DreamWorks. Also, several animated films were released in the 90 trying to imitate the success of Disney, but as in the Years 1930 and 1940, the animations of 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros could not catch a considerable market segment Disney movies that had been dominant. In particular, Warner Bros, had a string of failures "Cats Do not Dance", "The Magic Sword" and "The Iron Giant" (the latter being praised by critics and audiences, but virtually being ignored by most the public) died at the box office. Warner Bros. also tried to recreate the success of "Roger Rabbit" to "Space Jam", an attempt to combine the popularity of Bugs Bunny with basketball superstar Michael Jordan.
In addition, the market trend of children continued during the 90's, almost as ubiquitous as a decade earlier. Two major events dominated toy many children's programs in the afternoons of the weekend: "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" in the mid-90 and "Pokemon" from the latter half of the 90's to mid Years 2000. Until the animation suffered another revival in the 2000s, a great deal (and many dollars spent) continued to spend on merchandising.
The growth of computer animation
Yet another wild card is added to this crowded and competitive atmosphere with the emergence of a new wave of "Computer Animation". The decade of the 90 experienced an exponential improvement in the use of computers to enhance animated sequences and special effects. This new form of entertainment soon dominated the world of special effects in Hollywood (the film "Terminator 2": "The Judgement" and "Jurassic Park" included impressive computer-animated sequences), and was only a matter of time to find a film produced entirely with computers.
Once again it was Disney who led this area. Disney animators had introduced computer-generated sequences gently in his movies, as in early 1991 in "Beauty and the Beast." A computer-generated magic carpet played a significant role in "Aladdin." In 1995, Disney produced with Pixar "Toy Story", the first completely computer generated film. The film was a huge success and created a new movement, other studies investigated produce their own computer-animated films (CGI).
Perhaps because it first developed as a new method of creating special effects, computer animation was not seen as a form of "children's entertainment." After decades as related but separate industries, the line between animation and special effects are eliminated by the popularization of computer special effects, to the extent that the use of computers in Hollywood movies has become a natural. The best special effects are often so subtle they go completely unnoticed. The winner of the Oscar for best special effects with "Forrest Gump" (1994) relied heavily on computer special effects to create the illusion of realism, to the extent that the actor Tom Hanks was seen shaking hands with U.S. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The movie "Titanic" used computer graphics to bring each scene in three hours, which produced a level of realism that helped the film itself to become the biggest movie box office tax collection so far.
The computer animation has also made forays into television. The series of Saturday morning "ReBoot" gained much popularity among adults, this was the first of many CGI series like "Beast Wars," "War Planets" and "Roughnecks". The quality of computer animation has improved considerably with each new series. Many non-animated TV series (especially science fiction "Babylon 5") invested heavily in CGI production, producing special effects of a higher quality of its predecessors could dream at a relatively low cost.
Other studies with Disney tried their luck with computer-animated films and discovered their weaknesses to the monopoly that was putting animated Disney box office successes. While DreamWorks with "Antz" and "Small Soldiers" paled in comparison with the productions of Disney-Pixar's "Bug" and "Toy Story 2", finally got a big hit numbers with "Shrek" in 2001. "Shrek" was a huge box office success, attracting the public on the production and mastering summer of that year, "Atlantis". Even 20th Century Fox pulled the oil when it conducted a CGI animated film in early 2002 entitled "Ice Age". Not all studies were successful at the box office with computer animation, Paramount with "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" released in 2001 they did so well at the box office, but received a nomination from the Academy and later found success with the television series based on the film which was awarded the following year.
But the real star of the CGI revolution seemed to be Pixar. Even before "Toy Story" The study made a name producing amazing animation shorts (his short "Tin Toy" won an Oscar) and when Disney tried to create a CGI film on its own without Pixar ("Dinosaur") the result was notably disastrous.
Despite this success, the computer animation continues to rely on characters drawn and stylized. In 2001, living first attempt to create a world completely animated using "human actors" digital "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within," which found a moderate critical acclaim but did good box office.
The CGI special effects increased to such an extent that in 2002 science fiction film "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" was considered by its director, George Lucas, as the first animated film that used real actors. In fact, the CGI effects have become so common that it is difficult to distinguish computer-animated real life. A growing number of films begin using completely computer created characters interact on screen with real parts, as Jar Binks in "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" Gollum in "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" and the main character in "Hulk." While computer-generated characters have become acceptable actors, fully animated movies with virtual actors seem to lack a few years.
Disney seemed ready to lead the decline in hand-drawn animation, despite the box office success of "Lilo & Stitch", the failure of its hyped summer "Treasure Planet" seemed to assure that there would be further reductions in the study of Disney animation. The loss was most damaging to Disney in 2002 when the Oscar for Best Animated Film went to the artist (by hand) by Hayao Miyazaki, "Spirited Away" Disney inflicting a second defeat followed the Academy Awards.
Disney settled all their desks and Dreamworks Animation also announced it would abandon the traditional drawn animation and focus exclusively on computer-generated productions from 2003 onwards. While frame traditional animation is likely to remain supported by the TV cartoon and TV ads in the near future. The schools of animation history believe that "the era of classic American design," which began with the Walt Disney film "Snow White" is about to end. Others disagree, pointing a moderate success of traditionally animated film "Brother Bear" and the fact that Pixar has announced it will produce traditional animation films in their own attempt to revive this art form.
In 2004, he premiered the movie "Sky Captain" and "The world of tomorrow." Note that the entire film was shot against a blue screen with the background completely computer generated and all were real actors. Robert Zemeckis film "Polar Express" starring Tom Hanks with five characters is done entirely with CGI animation, but uses motion capture technology to animate the characters.
In July 2005, Disney announced it would close their studies in Australia in 2006. That study, responsible for video sequels like "The Lion King III" was the last bastion of hand-Disney artists. However in 2006, Pixar creative chief John Lasseter, told Time magazine that could restore traditional animation unit of Disney, saying that "of all studies should be doing 2-D animation, it should be Disney."
In December 2009, the last great animated film that has gathered huge profits at the box office is "Avatar" from 20th Century Fox, directed by James Cameron, has received high praise for the quality of special effects are really impressive.
Animation Awards
The animation has become so widely accepted that at the beginning of the XXI Century (2001), the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences introduced the Oscar for best animated film. The two main rivals for the first year of this award were two CGI films: "Shrek" from DreamWorks and "Monsters Inc." Disney-Pixar. The award was for "Shrek." However, there were complaints that the award seemed to be geared more toward family movies to animated films, "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" was the third nominee, not the innovative and critically acclaimed adult film "Waking Life" or visually innovative "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within." Hayao Miyazaki's critically acclaimed "Spirited Away" won in 2002 and the Disney-Pixar film "Finding Nemo" received the award in 2003.
The Annie Awards were presented at the Los Angeles branch of the International Animation Society (Association international du film d'animation or ASIFA), known as ASIFA-Hollywood, the month of February competing animation for film and TV.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Modern-American-Animation&id=6559369] Modern American Animation
This article describes the history of animation in the United States of America since the late 80's until the early twenty-first century. This period is often called the renaissance of American animation, during which many large American entertainment companies reform and reinvigorate its animation department after the decline suffered in the 60, 70 and 80.
From 1988 to the present
Disney's return
In the mid 80's, the American animation industry fell into disgrace. Toy commercials masquerading as entertainment programs cartoons dominated the evening and the morning of Saturday, and the only experiment was carried out by independent developers. Even animated films were projected in theaters at times, but the glory of the old days was gone. Even the animation giant Disney, which had fought a corporate acquisition in the 80's, was considering abandoning the production of animated feature films.
Both the enthusiastic audience, critics, and the animators were taken by surprise when the long-awaited renaissance of animation began in the oldest and most conservative corporation, Disney.
Disney had a drastic change in the 80, its new chief Michael Eisner the company relocated to his feet, returning to its roots and revitalizing their studies. With great fanfare, in 1988 the study worked with Steven Spielberg to produce the animated film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film was a success, and gave to the animation industry awaited push for that time. Roger Rabbit not only earned him a pile of money for Disney, but also sparked the popularity of the classic animation that continues to this day. The history of animation suddenly became an object of study (and their fans). Several directors, business legend, such as Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng were suddenly in the spotlight, being acclaimed after decades of being virtually ignored by audiences and industry professionals.
Disney continued the success of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? with "The Little Mermaid", the first of a series of animated films that seemed to recapture the magic of the golden age of Walt Disney himself. The studio invested heavily in new technology of computer animation for such purposes, but could do super-productions like "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin," which attracted audiences that were not seen in decades, and Once provided a visual feast that has not been exceeded since the 40. The peak of the hit Disney was in 1994 when his film "The Lion King" exceeded all expectations of the study to become one of the most successful of all time. Even later Disney films as "Pocahontas," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Hercules," "Mulan" and "Tarzan" was blockbusters.
Disney has also made inroads into the neglected area of the animated TV series. With the success of shows like "The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh", "The Adventures of the Gummi Bears Disney" and "Duck adventures", the "new" Disney made his mark in TV pictures. Through association and repetition, Disney can provide high quality animation for TV. A series of large diffusion was conducted in mid-nineties, with some critics designating "Gargoyles" as the Disney animation project for TV's most ambitious and best done artistically. The soundtracks of each of these animated films were an important part of its success, because Disney was including in each of these projects a loud voice from the world of music, such as Elton John (The Lion King), Luis Miguel (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Ricky Martin (Hercules), Christina Aguilera (Mulan), Celine Dion (Beauty and the Beast), Ricardo Montaner (Aladin), Jon Secada (Pocahontas), among others.
Spielberg and animation
Spielberg and Bluth
While Disney gave new life to animation, Steven Spielberg was making his own way. Animation amateur life, Spielberg was also interested in making high quality animation, and worked with his rival, Don Bluth animation producer to produce "Fievel and the New World." The box office success of this and Bluth's next film, "In The Land", Hollywood made him realize that Disney did not hold a monopoly on animated features. The other Hollywood studios resumed production of its own animated features, but still falling into the trap of trying to imitate Disney's 1997 film Don Bluth, "Anastasia", produced by Fox, is mentioned as the one launched the Fox Animation Studios and Disney's rival, however, these studies failed to succeed after "Anastasia" and closed in 1999. Like most successful productions of Disney, "Anastasia" was attended by Thalia, who played the central theme of the soundtrack in its versions in Spanish, English and Portuguese.
Spielberg and Warner Bros.
Spielberg, meanwhile, switched to TV and worked with animation studio Warner Bros. to produce "The Tiny Toon Adventures," a high quality animated series that paid homage to the great cartoons of Termite Terrace. "The Tiny Toon Adventures" had a good rating thanks to its young viewers, which inspired the Warner Bros to resurrect his dying animation studio and once again a contender in the field of animation. The Tiny Toon Steven Spielberg were continued by presenting "Animaniacs" and "Pinky and the Brain". The latter not only attracted new viewers to Warner Bros., but also captured the attention of viewers adolescents and adults.
Bakshi's return
Ralph Bakshi, director of innovative animated films like "Fritz the Cat" and original "Lord of the Rings", returned to animation after making a brief stop in the mid 80's. In 1985, he teamed up with the young Canadian animator John Kricfalusi and the legendary British band "The Rolling Stones" to make an animated music video for "The Harlem Shuffle", which was completed in early 1986. Although the music video did not talk much, he built a production team "Bakshi Animation" project continued with the short-lived but well received, "The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse." Bakshi & Co, worked on numerous projects at the end of the 80, but the biggest project was "Cool World: a blonde between two worlds", which premiered in 1992. The production got out of hand and ended up being severely criticized and forgotten by almost everyone.
Outsourcing animation
The main reason for increasing the quality of American animation is the ability to outsource the heavy lifting to cheaper animation houses in the South and Southeast Asia gaining a large number of frames at low cost. The script, character design and storyboarding is done in American offices. The storyboard, models and color books are mailed abroad. Sometimes causes problems because no final product can be completed until the frames are mailed to the U.S.. Although budgets have been reduced, foreign productions houses are chosen per episode, or even per scene, depending on the amount of money available at that time. As a result there is a big difference in quality from one episode to another. This is particularly evident in shows like "Gargoyles" and "Batman": The Animated Series where, sometimes, the characters seem completely different from one episode to the dismay of its directors.
Adult Animation
The Simpsons
In the 90's came a new wave of animated series whose primary aim was the adults, after an absence in the genre over a decade. In 1989, "The Simpsons," an animated short based on the "The Tracey Ullman Show," became the first animated series in prime time since "The Flintstones" and captivated a large part of the audience. It was the first hit series for the fledgling Fox, caused little sensitivity, entering popular culture and gaining wide acceptance. In 2008, "The Simpsons" seem to show no signs of stopping, and could surpass "Gunsmoke" as the fiction program on the air longer the history of American television. In 2007 have released their first film, titled "The Simpsons: The Movie", dubbed in Spanish and Chinese.
Ren and Stimpy
In 1991, Nickelodeon premiered "The Ren and Stimpy Show," "Ren and Stimpy" was a quirky series run riot violated all the traditional restrictions of correct drawings of Saturday morning and instead favored the quirky style of the short the golden era. Moreover, the series creator, John Kricfalusi, who had worked as an animator during the downturn of Saturday morning, was much influenced by the classic works of Bob Clampett.
Spike & Mike
Alongside mainstream animation nineties there was a strange and experimental movement. In a short animation festival in 1989, organized by Craig Decker and Mike Gribble Spike (known as "Spike & Mike") and originally located in San Diego. It all started with the representation of a collection of thematic short, known as the Classic Festival of Animation, in places of business meetings and trade throughout the country.
The collections were made mostly by Oscar-nominated short, works of students of the Institute of the Arts in California and experimental work of the National Film Board of Canada. The first festival included works by John Lasseter, Nick Park and Mike Judge. Judge's work, "Frog Baseball" marked the first appearance of their franchise characters Beavis and Butthead.
However, the festival gradually became a film program called Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation and turned into an underground movement of adult humor and subject matter.
Adult Swim
In 1994, Cartoon Network gave consent to a new series called "Space Ghost" coast to coast with a particular postmodern turn, showed live interviews with celebrities, mixed with cartoon animations original "Space Ghost." The series made the leap with the production of Hanna-Barbera, now owned by Cartoon Network. It was the beginning of a common practice used old Hanna-Barbera characters for new productions, as the surreal "Underwater Laboratory 2021", based on the cartoon short early 70's "Sealab 2020." Also, Harvey Birdman, attorney, on a mediocre superhero, Birdman which was originally the star of Birdman and Galaxy trio had become a lawyer. Its customers, like many of the characters in the series, came completely from old Hanna-Barbera characters.
In addition to large animation files old and cheap, independent animators also began to benefit from new digital technologies. An artist with sufficient technical skills could explore new styles and forms with much more freedom. The traditional animation skills of drawing and painting had given way to digital manipulation and aggressive use new techniques of animation.
Along with these new programs, the American audience, particularly in geographic areas influenced by fusion with the cultures of the Pacific coast, began to adopt Japanese cartoon, or anime, 80. This growing market for anime videos satisfy the public child and adolescent, with a large number of Japanese series translated into English. Initially access was limited to videos, but the anime as it became a mainstream found its way into the film department stores throughout the U.S.. As the animation occupies a different place in Japanese culture, including a range of issues not addressed by the American animation.
"Adult Swim" is a block of animation for adults that is issued at the start of primetime on Cartoon Network, leads the adult industry and has the latest technology in animation. Adult Swim, which originally aired on Sunday night in 2006 was in the air until 5:00 AM, and was broadcast every night except Friday. The series, which is produced exclusively for Adult Swim, as "The Brak Show," "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" and "Tom Goes to the Mayor", tend to be surreal and bizarre, but also considered fresh and original. Adult Swim reissued series "Futurama" and played an important role to avoid the cancellation of "Family Guy". In addition, it also issues numerous popular Anime series such as "FLCL", "Lupin III" and "Inuyasha."
Other drawings for adults
Other TV stations also experimented with animation for adults. MTV has produced several animated series especially for young and adult audiences, "Liquid Television" and "Beavis and Butthead". Even USA Network program found a cult following with his "Duckman show". But the adult animated series of the 90 most successful was "South Park" which premiered in 1996 as a cartoon pirate on the Internet.
The more fast-paced animation and disturbingly clandestine saw the light, the more dominant force in television animation was, led to an increasingly frenetic territory and perhaps eschatological, for example in "The Tick and Duckman."
In 2005, adult animation pioneer Ralph Bakshi said he would work on another film, "The Last Days of Coney Island" which he would finance and produce independently.
The decline of the Saturday Morning
After spending nearly a coma for over two decades, the American animation industry experienced a sudden growth in the 90. Several new studies appeared keen to take risks, and found a large number of markets to sell their talent. Along with the animated TV series, the animation used in television commercials, video games and music videos. The small animation studios challenged "Hanna-Barbera Productions" in the market for TV animation.
In fact, Hanna-Barbera could not compete with the new varieties of animation on the market. During the time that dominated the entire spectrum of pictures of the Saturday morning Hanna-Barbera had virtually no competition, causing a deterioration in the quality of its series. In the 90's, the study could only offer fried as "A Pup Named Scooby-Doo" and "Tom and Jerry Kids Show" to compete with "Fox Kids" and the new "WB Television Network" from Warner Bros. Hanna-Barbera stayed behind and found himself completely bought by Turner Broadcasting.
Hanna-Barbera not only had problems adapting to the changes that are spread all over the TV. The "Big Three" networks (ABC, NBC and CBS) found its loyal audience being eroded by competition from new channels, including new strains of "Cable TV" as Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network. Video games and movies available on video also helped change the market, to the point that for a time gave NBC cartoons altogether. The ABC was bought by Disney, and Disney turned the grill on Saturday in a series of Disney animated productions.
While the series animated in large networks seemed mediocre, the cable television cartoon achieved several successes. Nickelodeon did see light cult hits like "Doug," "Rugrats," "Ren and Stimpy," "Rocko's Modern Life," "SpongeBob," "Invader Zim" and "The Fairly OddParents." Meanwhile, a new owner of Hanna-Barbera, Time Warner, the study focused on the creation of new drawings for the Cartoon Network. Hanna-Barbera was an influx of fresh blood and a new generation of drawings of Hanna-Barbera cartoon was born as "Dexter's Laboratory," "Johnny Bravo", "Cow and Chicken", "Powerpuff Girls" and " Courage the Cowardly Dog. "
Still, each new piece of animation was not a gold mine. The Disney animated films began to suffer in quality to late 1990, after the producer Jeff Katzenberg left the studio and team up with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen to form DreamWorks. Also, several animated films were released in the 90 trying to imitate the success of Disney, but as in the Years 1930 and 1940, the animations of 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros could not catch a considerable market segment Disney movies that had been dominant. In particular, Warner Bros, had a string of failures "Cats Do not Dance", "The Magic Sword" and "The Iron Giant" (the latter being praised by critics and audiences, but virtually being ignored by most the public) died at the box office. Warner Bros. also tried to recreate the success of "Roger Rabbit" to "Space Jam", an attempt to combine the popularity of Bugs Bunny with basketball superstar Michael Jordan.
In addition, the market trend of children continued during the 90's, almost as ubiquitous as a decade earlier. Two major events dominated toy many children's programs in the afternoons of the weekend: "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" in the mid-90 and "Pokemon" from the latter half of the 90's to mid Years 2000. Until the animation suffered another revival in the 2000s, a great deal (and many dollars spent) continued to spend on merchandising.
The growth of computer animation
Yet another wild card is added to this crowded and competitive atmosphere with the emergence of a new wave of "Computer Animation". The decade of the 90 experienced an exponential improvement in the use of computers to enhance animated sequences and special effects. This new form of entertainment soon dominated the world of special effects in Hollywood (the film "Terminator 2": "The Judgement" and "Jurassic Park" included impressive computer-animated sequences), and was only a matter of time to find a film produced entirely with computers.
Once again it was Disney who led this area. Disney animators had introduced computer-generated sequences gently in his movies, as in early 1991 in "Beauty and the Beast." A computer-generated magic carpet played a significant role in "Aladdin." In 1995, Disney produced with Pixar "Toy Story", the first completely computer generated film. The film was a huge success and created a new movement, other studies investigated produce their own computer-animated films (CGI).
Perhaps because it first developed as a new method of creating special effects, computer animation was not seen as a form of "children's entertainment." After decades as related but separate industries, the line between animation and special effects are eliminated by the popularization of computer special effects, to the extent that the use of computers in Hollywood movies has become a natural. The best special effects are often so subtle they go completely unnoticed. The winner of the Oscar for best special effects with "Forrest Gump" (1994) relied heavily on computer special effects to create the illusion of realism, to the extent that the actor Tom Hanks was seen shaking hands with U.S. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The movie "Titanic" used computer graphics to bring each scene in three hours, which produced a level of realism that helped the film itself to become the biggest movie box office tax collection so far.
The computer animation has also made forays into television. The series of Saturday morning "ReBoot" gained much popularity among adults, this was the first of many CGI series like "Beast Wars," "War Planets" and "Roughnecks". The quality of computer animation has improved considerably with each new series. Many non-animated TV series (especially science fiction "Babylon 5") invested heavily in CGI production, producing special effects of a higher quality of its predecessors could dream at a relatively low cost.
Other studies with Disney tried their luck with computer-animated films and discovered their weaknesses to the monopoly that was putting animated Disney box office successes. While DreamWorks with "Antz" and "Small Soldiers" paled in comparison with the productions of Disney-Pixar's "Bug" and "Toy Story 2", finally got a big hit numbers with "Shrek" in 2001. "Shrek" was a huge box office success, attracting the public on the production and mastering summer of that year, "Atlantis". Even 20th Century Fox pulled the oil when it conducted a CGI animated film in early 2002 entitled "Ice Age". Not all studies were successful at the box office with computer animation, Paramount with "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" released in 2001 they did so well at the box office, but received a nomination from the Academy and later found success with the television series based on the film which was awarded the following year.
But the real star of the CGI revolution seemed to be Pixar. Even before "Toy Story" The study made a name producing amazing animation shorts (his short "Tin Toy" won an Oscar) and when Disney tried to create a CGI film on its own without Pixar ("Dinosaur") the result was notably disastrous.
Despite this success, the computer animation continues to rely on characters drawn and stylized. In 2001, living first attempt to create a world completely animated using "human actors" digital "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within," which found a moderate critical acclaim but did good box office.
The CGI special effects increased to such an extent that in 2002 science fiction film "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" was considered by its director, George Lucas, as the first animated film that used real actors. In fact, the CGI effects have become so common that it is difficult to distinguish computer-animated real life. A growing number of films begin using completely computer created characters interact on screen with real parts, as Jar Binks in "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" Gollum in "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" and the main character in "Hulk." While computer-generated characters have become acceptable actors, fully animated movies with virtual actors seem to lack a few years.
Disney seemed ready to lead the decline in hand-drawn animation, despite the box office success of "Lilo & Stitch", the failure of its hyped summer "Treasure Planet" seemed to assure that there would be further reductions in the study of Disney animation. The loss was most damaging to Disney in 2002 when the Oscar for Best Animated Film went to the artist (by hand) by Hayao Miyazaki, "Spirited Away" Disney inflicting a second defeat followed the Academy Awards.
Disney settled all their desks and Dreamworks Animation also announced it would abandon the traditional drawn animation and focus exclusively on computer-generated productions from 2003 onwards. While frame traditional animation is likely to remain supported by the TV cartoon and TV ads in the near future. The schools of animation history believe that "the era of classic American design," which began with the Walt Disney film "Snow White" is about to end. Others disagree, pointing a moderate success of traditionally animated film "Brother Bear" and the fact that Pixar has announced it will produce traditional animation films in their own attempt to revive this art form.
In 2004, he premiered the movie "Sky Captain" and "The world of tomorrow." Note that the entire film was shot against a blue screen with the background completely computer generated and all were real actors. Robert Zemeckis film "Polar Express" starring Tom Hanks with five characters is done entirely with CGI animation, but uses motion capture technology to animate the characters.
In July 2005, Disney announced it would close their studies in Australia in 2006. That study, responsible for video sequels like "The Lion King III" was the last bastion of hand-Disney artists. However in 2006, Pixar creative chief John Lasseter, told Time magazine that could restore traditional animation unit of Disney, saying that "of all studies should be doing 2-D animation, it should be Disney."
In December 2009, the last great animated film that has gathered huge profits at the box office is "Avatar" from 20th Century Fox, directed by James Cameron, has received high praise for the quality of special effects are really impressive.
Animation Awards
The animation has become so widely accepted that at the beginning of the XXI Century (2001), the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences introduced the Oscar for best animated film. The two main rivals for the first year of this award were two CGI films: "Shrek" from DreamWorks and "Monsters Inc." Disney-Pixar. The award was for "Shrek." However, there were complaints that the award seemed to be geared more toward family movies to animated films, "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" was the third nominee, not the innovative and critically acclaimed adult film "Waking Life" or visually innovative "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within." Hayao Miyazaki's critically acclaimed "Spirited Away" won in 2002 and the Disney-Pixar film "Finding Nemo" received the award in 2003.
The Annie Awards were presented at the Los Angeles branch of the International Animation Society (Association international du film d'animation or ASIFA), known as ASIFA-Hollywood, the month of February competing animation for film and TV.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Modern-American-Animation&id=6559369] Modern American Animation
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Making Cartoons - From Concept to Creation
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_VK]Michael VK
Once the general idea is established, and the details are being developed via scripts and screenplays, the concept art stage can come into play. Here, each character and environment is sketched out, sometimes tens of hundreds of times, until the designs of the cartoon fit exactly with the story. Components like turnaround sheets are created, showing the character from every angle, so the models can be made more quickly. Drawing out the models before making them ensures that the entire design has been thoroughly considered, so there are no unpleasant surprises down the road.
At this point of 3D Animation, a storyboard is created, combining the text in the script with sketches detailing the appearance of each scene and key action. Usually, this will also be followed by an animatic, which places the storyboard images into a timed video.
Now, the key frames are created. Every important scene, action, and pose is created, without any in-between animation, to see if the timing was planned correctly, and the 3D space is being used properly. At this stage, it is much easier to go back and change a pose or action, since the motions in-between haven't been fine-tuned.
Once the key frames have been established, the actual animation process can begin, going through all of the in-between frames, and seeing how the program interpreted the movements. While 3D animation programs have come a long way, there is still a lot of tweaking necessary to make the motions seem natural. Once all of these frames start getting attention paid to them, though, it becomes a lot more time consuming to go back and change a pose or action, so it is very important to spot any mistakes as early on as possible.
While it can be easy to get caught up in creating moving characters, it is important to consider all of the atmospheric elements of a cartoon design as well. Backgrounds and stationary objects all contribute to the general feeling of a piece, no matter how simplistic the design may be.
Another important consideration is the use of sound. If the cartoon is being set to music, then that will usually happen once the principal animation is complete, so the song can be timed out to it properly. But if there is any dialogue, it should be recorded before the animation stage is finished, so the characters movements and mouths can be matched up to the words. Sound effects and general noises can go either way, depending on how they are being used.
Once all of the pieces have been compiled, the 3D Animation can be exported and rendered. The piece finally comes together into a playable video, and the cartoon design transitions from a concept to a full reality. Overall, the several months, even years, of work can amount to a half an hour film, but the realization of the concept is truly worth it. Seeing an idea become something so full of life and emotion is a reward in itself.
Zco Corporation is an [http://www.zco.com/]App Development Company offering services for [http://www.zco.com/3d-animations.aspx]3D Animation and 3D Modeling.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Making-Cartoons---From-Concept-to-Creation&id=6564825] Making Cartoons - From Concept to Creation
Once the general idea is established, and the details are being developed via scripts and screenplays, the concept art stage can come into play. Here, each character and environment is sketched out, sometimes tens of hundreds of times, until the designs of the cartoon fit exactly with the story. Components like turnaround sheets are created, showing the character from every angle, so the models can be made more quickly. Drawing out the models before making them ensures that the entire design has been thoroughly considered, so there are no unpleasant surprises down the road.
At this point of 3D Animation, a storyboard is created, combining the text in the script with sketches detailing the appearance of each scene and key action. Usually, this will also be followed by an animatic, which places the storyboard images into a timed video.
Now, the key frames are created. Every important scene, action, and pose is created, without any in-between animation, to see if the timing was planned correctly, and the 3D space is being used properly. At this stage, it is much easier to go back and change a pose or action, since the motions in-between haven't been fine-tuned.
Once the key frames have been established, the actual animation process can begin, going through all of the in-between frames, and seeing how the program interpreted the movements. While 3D animation programs have come a long way, there is still a lot of tweaking necessary to make the motions seem natural. Once all of these frames start getting attention paid to them, though, it becomes a lot more time consuming to go back and change a pose or action, so it is very important to spot any mistakes as early on as possible.
While it can be easy to get caught up in creating moving characters, it is important to consider all of the atmospheric elements of a cartoon design as well. Backgrounds and stationary objects all contribute to the general feeling of a piece, no matter how simplistic the design may be.
Another important consideration is the use of sound. If the cartoon is being set to music, then that will usually happen once the principal animation is complete, so the song can be timed out to it properly. But if there is any dialogue, it should be recorded before the animation stage is finished, so the characters movements and mouths can be matched up to the words. Sound effects and general noises can go either way, depending on how they are being used.
Once all of the pieces have been compiled, the 3D Animation can be exported and rendered. The piece finally comes together into a playable video, and the cartoon design transitions from a concept to a full reality. Overall, the several months, even years, of work can amount to a half an hour film, but the realization of the concept is truly worth it. Seeing an idea become something so full of life and emotion is a reward in itself.
Zco Corporation is an [http://www.zco.com/]App Development Company offering services for [http://www.zco.com/3d-animations.aspx]3D Animation and 3D Modeling.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Making-Cartoons---From-Concept-to-Creation&id=6564825] Making Cartoons - From Concept to Creation
Monday, January 23, 2012
My Favorite 3D Animation Company: Pixar
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mark_P_Hurst]Mark P Hurst
In the world of 3D animation production, of course everyone has their favorite 3D animation company that they turn to for inspiration as they seek to pursue what it means to participate in 3D animation excellence. Though I have only been in the industry for a few years, I am of course no exception. Like many others in my generation, I grew up with only one name of a 3D animation company in my head, and that company was Pixar. Maybe this is not the most revolutionary opinion ever, since Pixar has made some of the top-grossing animated movies of all time, but really, when you're thinking of 3D animation studios to be inspired by, I always say, why not learn from the best?
My favorite movie of all, which really changed the face of 3D animation for me forever, was Toy Story. When I was young and saw this film for the first time, I was so impressed by how the animators could create such precise renderings of the environments through which the characters moved, while at the same time creating such effective character animation and lip syncs for imaginary creatures.
It was this in particular that blew my mind...how could it be that the animators were able to make the lip sync effective for TOYS, when no one could really know how they might move? It was through these questions that I first began to understand that 3D animation was a world that involved both creativity and precision, and it was the desire to participate in work that would bring these two passions of mine together that led me to pursue a degree and later a career in this field. Now working on precise lip sync and positioning actors in front of a green screen are key parts of what I do, and I wouldn't have it any other way!
These days, we can only expect the CGI movies and animated films (for children and adults) out there to get better and better in terms of quality graphics, realism and level of quality filming techniques. Soon we won't have the need for actors on camera, only their recognizable voices. That would be a scary day and I hope it doesn't come to pass.
How about you? What studio's work inspired you, either when you were a young child, or now? It doesn't matter whether they are well-known or relatively obscure...all that matters is that we learn from the best!
Mark Hurst is really a famous critic and profitable designer of 3D animation. He at present writes about his [http://www.3dar.com]3D animation company and what every day life is like in the area of the studios of [http://www.3dar.com]3D animation studios.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?My-Favorite-3D-Animation-Company:-Pixar&id=6574506] My Favorite 3D Animation Company: Pixar
In the world of 3D animation production, of course everyone has their favorite 3D animation company that they turn to for inspiration as they seek to pursue what it means to participate in 3D animation excellence. Though I have only been in the industry for a few years, I am of course no exception. Like many others in my generation, I grew up with only one name of a 3D animation company in my head, and that company was Pixar. Maybe this is not the most revolutionary opinion ever, since Pixar has made some of the top-grossing animated movies of all time, but really, when you're thinking of 3D animation studios to be inspired by, I always say, why not learn from the best?
My favorite movie of all, which really changed the face of 3D animation for me forever, was Toy Story. When I was young and saw this film for the first time, I was so impressed by how the animators could create such precise renderings of the environments through which the characters moved, while at the same time creating such effective character animation and lip syncs for imaginary creatures.
It was this in particular that blew my mind...how could it be that the animators were able to make the lip sync effective for TOYS, when no one could really know how they might move? It was through these questions that I first began to understand that 3D animation was a world that involved both creativity and precision, and it was the desire to participate in work that would bring these two passions of mine together that led me to pursue a degree and later a career in this field. Now working on precise lip sync and positioning actors in front of a green screen are key parts of what I do, and I wouldn't have it any other way!
These days, we can only expect the CGI movies and animated films (for children and adults) out there to get better and better in terms of quality graphics, realism and level of quality filming techniques. Soon we won't have the need for actors on camera, only their recognizable voices. That would be a scary day and I hope it doesn't come to pass.
How about you? What studio's work inspired you, either when you were a young child, or now? It doesn't matter whether they are well-known or relatively obscure...all that matters is that we learn from the best!
Mark Hurst is really a famous critic and profitable designer of 3D animation. He at present writes about his [http://www.3dar.com]3D animation company and what every day life is like in the area of the studios of [http://www.3dar.com]3D animation studios.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?My-Favorite-3D-Animation-Company:-Pixar&id=6574506] My Favorite 3D Animation Company: Pixar
Saturday, January 21, 2012
The Best Way To Find A Visual Effect Company To Work With
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mark_P_Hurst]Mark P Hurst
About three years ago, when I was first considering joining the exciting world of 3D animation and design, I found myself overwhelmed by the possibilities and various types of advice that were available to me. As I listened to those who would be my colleagues, whether they were veterans of the industry, or were new, eager, presences on the scene, I felt dizzy by the array of opinions about what would make a superior visual effect company truly stand out from the pack. Now that I've been in the industry for a few years, I feel like I've come to learn enough on my own to have my own informed opinion, and I'd like to pass that knowledge on to others! Typically, I don't share too much information with those who are not with my company. But these points are too important not to share.
So, what are some ways to spot a superior visual effect company? In my mind, it comes down to two things:
1. Emphasis on good customer service. This all comes down to common sense. I knew that the company where I now work was "the one" when they told me their philosophy that for them, the customer always comes first. This kind of service-minded attitude really appeals to me., and it's sure to get a lot of good and interesting business!
2. The ability to roll with changes in the industry, and be committed to continuous levels of innovation, This is related to the first point, of course. We all know that the 3d animation industry is changing all the time. A superior visual effect company will realize this, and seek to get out there on a continuous basis in order to stay on top of those changes. If you are thinking of working for a company that seems to never leave their studio, where the employees do not get out or onto the internet and see what others are doing, you should be suspicious. If you can't get inspired by the best CGI work that 's being done out there as a part of a company, why would you want to share your creative energies with them in the first place? These people should be your team!
Anyway, what do you think? What are some ways that YOU might spot a superior visual effect company, one that really stands head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd?
Mark Hurst is a specialist in 3D animation design, architecture, and CGI. He also likes to write about the [http://www.3dar.com/visual-effect-company.php]visual effect company realm. He has worked for many top [http://www.3dar.com]visual effect studios.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Best-Way-To-Find-A-Visual-Effect-Company-To-Work-With&id=6577156] The Best Way To Find A Visual Effect Company To Work With
About three years ago, when I was first considering joining the exciting world of 3D animation and design, I found myself overwhelmed by the possibilities and various types of advice that were available to me. As I listened to those who would be my colleagues, whether they were veterans of the industry, or were new, eager, presences on the scene, I felt dizzy by the array of opinions about what would make a superior visual effect company truly stand out from the pack. Now that I've been in the industry for a few years, I feel like I've come to learn enough on my own to have my own informed opinion, and I'd like to pass that knowledge on to others! Typically, I don't share too much information with those who are not with my company. But these points are too important not to share.
So, what are some ways to spot a superior visual effect company? In my mind, it comes down to two things:
1. Emphasis on good customer service. This all comes down to common sense. I knew that the company where I now work was "the one" when they told me their philosophy that for them, the customer always comes first. This kind of service-minded attitude really appeals to me., and it's sure to get a lot of good and interesting business!
2. The ability to roll with changes in the industry, and be committed to continuous levels of innovation, This is related to the first point, of course. We all know that the 3d animation industry is changing all the time. A superior visual effect company will realize this, and seek to get out there on a continuous basis in order to stay on top of those changes. If you are thinking of working for a company that seems to never leave their studio, where the employees do not get out or onto the internet and see what others are doing, you should be suspicious. If you can't get inspired by the best CGI work that 's being done out there as a part of a company, why would you want to share your creative energies with them in the first place? These people should be your team!
Anyway, what do you think? What are some ways that YOU might spot a superior visual effect company, one that really stands head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd?
Mark Hurst is a specialist in 3D animation design, architecture, and CGI. He also likes to write about the [http://www.3dar.com/visual-effect-company.php]visual effect company realm. He has worked for many top [http://www.3dar.com]visual effect studios.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Best-Way-To-Find-A-Visual-Effect-Company-To-Work-With&id=6577156] The Best Way To Find A Visual Effect Company To Work With
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Jobs in Animation - How to Select a Perfect Industry?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Angel_Rigg]Angel Rigg
After completing graduation and studies, your aim is to start your creative career. It is a wise move to learn everything about the various industries before deciding a career. Generally after starting your first job often individuals are forced to join an extensive training program which enables them to train according to the industry standards. However during the training itself many individuals do not find the training suitable for them and decides to quit and individuals find that their job profile and experience is not exactly matching for what they are trained for. Apparently this is something that happens in every industry, except animation industry.
For aspiring candidates who have dreamed to build their career in animation industry face a question when selecting a job in animation which is how to select a perfect industry? Of course, animation itself is an industry but it provides solution for an array of several other industries including movies, video games, advertising, presentation, architectural, automobiles, web designing and more.
Individuals who have partaken extensive study in various animation software applications and have earned a graduation and / or diploma degree in them, often dream of becoming part of a animation team such as Pixar, Disney etc. and to design great animations like Shrek, A Bugs Life, etc. However, often these aspiring artists who are seeking to find rel=nofollow jobs in animation industry forget and overlook other industries such as web designing, video games, product designing, architectural, automobiles etc. In fact, the demand of animation in these industries is constantly growing in leaps and bounds. As a result these industries are always searching for a good talent and seeking for a good animation studios with qualified and professional's animators. Such animation studio's always has openings for jobs in animation and are always searching for good and talented animators.
Hence, individuals looking to start their career with jobs in animation it is important to understand that there several different industries available in the market. Animation is used in films, websites, cartoons, video games, architecture, automobiles and in many more industry. As an applicant or candidate you'll probably want to explore all these areas to find out which of these appeals you and suits you the best. Training provided by the animation studios always helps the artist to focus on their goal and to be a professional animator. For individuals looking to start their career with jobs in animation it is important to understand that there are several different industries available in the market.
Production Job Shop is an online career job-site that is dedicated to serve the Creative and Jobs in Animation Industries. Visit us for more details at http://www.productionjobshop.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Jobs-in-Animation---How-to-Select-a-Perfect-Industry?&id=6585690] Jobs in Animation - How to Select a Perfect Industry?
After completing graduation and studies, your aim is to start your creative career. It is a wise move to learn everything about the various industries before deciding a career. Generally after starting your first job often individuals are forced to join an extensive training program which enables them to train according to the industry standards. However during the training itself many individuals do not find the training suitable for them and decides to quit and individuals find that their job profile and experience is not exactly matching for what they are trained for. Apparently this is something that happens in every industry, except animation industry.
For aspiring candidates who have dreamed to build their career in animation industry face a question when selecting a job in animation which is how to select a perfect industry? Of course, animation itself is an industry but it provides solution for an array of several other industries including movies, video games, advertising, presentation, architectural, automobiles, web designing and more.
Individuals who have partaken extensive study in various animation software applications and have earned a graduation and / or diploma degree in them, often dream of becoming part of a animation team such as Pixar, Disney etc. and to design great animations like Shrek, A Bugs Life, etc. However, often these aspiring artists who are seeking to find rel=nofollow jobs in animation industry forget and overlook other industries such as web designing, video games, product designing, architectural, automobiles etc. In fact, the demand of animation in these industries is constantly growing in leaps and bounds. As a result these industries are always searching for a good talent and seeking for a good animation studios with qualified and professional's animators. Such animation studio's always has openings for jobs in animation and are always searching for good and talented animators.
Hence, individuals looking to start their career with jobs in animation it is important to understand that there several different industries available in the market. Animation is used in films, websites, cartoons, video games, architecture, automobiles and in many more industry. As an applicant or candidate you'll probably want to explore all these areas to find out which of these appeals you and suits you the best. Training provided by the animation studios always helps the artist to focus on their goal and to be a professional animator. For individuals looking to start their career with jobs in animation it is important to understand that there are several different industries available in the market.
Production Job Shop is an online career job-site that is dedicated to serve the Creative and Jobs in Animation Industries. Visit us for more details at http://www.productionjobshop.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Jobs-in-Animation---How-to-Select-a-Perfect-Industry?&id=6585690] Jobs in Animation - How to Select a Perfect Industry?
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The History of Computer Animation
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Art_Saborio]Art Saborio
Computer animation is fascinating and has a long history that will interest anyone that wants to be involved with this style of animation. The animation in America was highly influenced by European animators during the 19th century. As the popularity of the motion picture increased, animation was developed further. 3D animation took the level of animation one step further, and helped to enhance the overall experience.
The basic concept of the comic strip can be seen as far back as 2000 BC on many Egyptian walls as decoration. Throughout successive panels, the pictures would tell a story, and have exciting graphics ensuring that you can fully understand the story. There were many different styles of basic animation used for several years. However, the invention of the motion camera and projector brought animation to life.
During the early years, the animation was incredibly basic, and nothing like the incredible animation we have today. Although the designs were simple, audiences were fascinated with the fact that basic drawings could come to life. The instant appeal soon wore off and during the early twenties people were tired of this style of animation. Movie makers looked for fresh, new ideas, to capture the audiences.
The concept of key frame was soon developed and what was considered as the first motion picture was made. The concept of key frame was developed and improved rapidly, allowing the speed rate and animation that was seen to be quicker. Computer animation was still a long way off; however, significant developments were taking place.
Walt Disney is of course the person who changed the direction of animation. His creative side allowed developments to be made that people never thought were possible. Through the ability to develop computer animation, people could enhance 3D computer animation. Walt Disney produced he first ever feature length animated movie, and never looked back.
The industry took a gigantic leap and was revolutionized in the early 1970's and continued to improve in leaps and bounds. The first movie to use computer animation was Westworld in 1973, which was incredible to watch. The technology and process behind the animation was developed even further by Pixar. This incredible company ensured that by the time they released their first animated movie, it was destined to be an enormous success.
Pixar soon became the pioneering company within the industry, and anyone who wanted to be a part of the new generation of computer animation wanted to work for this company. Pixar always aspired for greater things, and their goal was developing the animation even further. 3D computer animation was not simply a dream to them, and the process was always being developed. Following the impressive success of Toy Story, Pixar quickly went onto make more 3D computer animated movies.
Computers and imaginations have both developed and grown to ensure that future animations are incredible. From the humble beginnings of the animations that were so popular, they are now spectacular. There are very few movie companies that do not use computer animation in some form in their movies.
Animation has a long history in entertaining us. Click here for more information on [http://makeyourownanimation.net/computer-animation]computer animation. Here you will also find information on [http://makeyourownanimation.net/courses-in-photoshop]course in Photoshop, tools, history, movies and more.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-History-of-Computer-Animation&id=6608295] The History of Computer Animation
Computer animation is fascinating and has a long history that will interest anyone that wants to be involved with this style of animation. The animation in America was highly influenced by European animators during the 19th century. As the popularity of the motion picture increased, animation was developed further. 3D animation took the level of animation one step further, and helped to enhance the overall experience.
The basic concept of the comic strip can be seen as far back as 2000 BC on many Egyptian walls as decoration. Throughout successive panels, the pictures would tell a story, and have exciting graphics ensuring that you can fully understand the story. There were many different styles of basic animation used for several years. However, the invention of the motion camera and projector brought animation to life.
During the early years, the animation was incredibly basic, and nothing like the incredible animation we have today. Although the designs were simple, audiences were fascinated with the fact that basic drawings could come to life. The instant appeal soon wore off and during the early twenties people were tired of this style of animation. Movie makers looked for fresh, new ideas, to capture the audiences.
The concept of key frame was soon developed and what was considered as the first motion picture was made. The concept of key frame was developed and improved rapidly, allowing the speed rate and animation that was seen to be quicker. Computer animation was still a long way off; however, significant developments were taking place.
Walt Disney is of course the person who changed the direction of animation. His creative side allowed developments to be made that people never thought were possible. Through the ability to develop computer animation, people could enhance 3D computer animation. Walt Disney produced he first ever feature length animated movie, and never looked back.
The industry took a gigantic leap and was revolutionized in the early 1970's and continued to improve in leaps and bounds. The first movie to use computer animation was Westworld in 1973, which was incredible to watch. The technology and process behind the animation was developed even further by Pixar. This incredible company ensured that by the time they released their first animated movie, it was destined to be an enormous success.
Pixar soon became the pioneering company within the industry, and anyone who wanted to be a part of the new generation of computer animation wanted to work for this company. Pixar always aspired for greater things, and their goal was developing the animation even further. 3D computer animation was not simply a dream to them, and the process was always being developed. Following the impressive success of Toy Story, Pixar quickly went onto make more 3D computer animated movies.
Computers and imaginations have both developed and grown to ensure that future animations are incredible. From the humble beginnings of the animations that were so popular, they are now spectacular. There are very few movie companies that do not use computer animation in some form in their movies.
Animation has a long history in entertaining us. Click here for more information on [http://makeyourownanimation.net/computer-animation]computer animation. Here you will also find information on [http://makeyourownanimation.net/courses-in-photoshop]course in Photoshop, tools, history, movies and more.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-History-of-Computer-Animation&id=6608295] The History of Computer Animation
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Disney Classics Coming to 3D
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Richard_T_Skidmore]Richard T Skidmore
The Lion King re-release hits UK cinemas on October 7th after a well-received box office in the US grossing over $600 million, making it the highest grossing September for any film to date. What made this re-release such a huge success, even after 17 years since it first hit the big screen?
I'll admit it now; the Lion King is one of my favourite Disney animated movies of all time. I would imagine many people feel the same way. Disney had stepped up the mark with this production using cutting edge technology at the time to create some jaw-dropping scenes. We all remember the wildebeest stampede don't we? But it wasn't just the visuals that sealed the deal for this blockbuster; it was also the musical score. Lion King employed the talents of Elton John, the first pop star to compose a musical score for a Disney film.
There were also some exceptional voice actors joining the cast. James Earl Jones provided the authoritative tone of Mufasa and Jeremy Irons gave a sharp tongued dialogue to Scar. These talents gave some depth to the characters and made you really feel as if they had come to life. Combined with the art and direction, Lion King was already a masterpiece, but it doesn't end there.
The Lion King was the first Disney film to show a main characters death and it pulled on the heartstrings of everyone. Hence the story was something no one else could have foreseen, veering away momentarily from the happy fairy-tale of most other Disney films. Of course Bambi had done something similar, but it was a passing moment compared to seeing the anguish on poor Simba's face as he realised his father would not be waking up.
Audiences would now be captivated in seeing this story through, hoping Simba would realise his potential and face the evil Scar once and for all and, of course, Disney did not disappoint.
Now the blockbuster has returned in 3D allowing a whole new generation to enjoy this fantastic tale. Judging from the success of the re-release in the US, it is no doubt going to create a storm over here. After all, Disney films are timeless classics which can be enjoyed by the whole family for years to come.
That's not all though! Following the success of the Lion King in 3D, Disney are preparing to re-release other classic in 3D over the next two years, including Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo and Monsters. Inc. It's good to see that we will have the opportunity to watch these great films on the big screen once more.
Richard Skidmore
FloridaTix - Online Marketing Manager
Since 1996 FloridaTix has been the UK's leading supplier for Disney tickets, Universal tickets and many more [http://www.floridatix.co.uk]Orlando attractions. We are an authorised broker of all attractions, theme parks, shows and sightseeing tours offered on this site so we can guarantee you the best possible holiday experience at the best possible price.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Disney-Classics-Coming-to-3D&id=6611505] Disney Classics Coming to 3D
The Lion King re-release hits UK cinemas on October 7th after a well-received box office in the US grossing over $600 million, making it the highest grossing September for any film to date. What made this re-release such a huge success, even after 17 years since it first hit the big screen?
I'll admit it now; the Lion King is one of my favourite Disney animated movies of all time. I would imagine many people feel the same way. Disney had stepped up the mark with this production using cutting edge technology at the time to create some jaw-dropping scenes. We all remember the wildebeest stampede don't we? But it wasn't just the visuals that sealed the deal for this blockbuster; it was also the musical score. Lion King employed the talents of Elton John, the first pop star to compose a musical score for a Disney film.
There were also some exceptional voice actors joining the cast. James Earl Jones provided the authoritative tone of Mufasa and Jeremy Irons gave a sharp tongued dialogue to Scar. These talents gave some depth to the characters and made you really feel as if they had come to life. Combined with the art and direction, Lion King was already a masterpiece, but it doesn't end there.
The Lion King was the first Disney film to show a main characters death and it pulled on the heartstrings of everyone. Hence the story was something no one else could have foreseen, veering away momentarily from the happy fairy-tale of most other Disney films. Of course Bambi had done something similar, but it was a passing moment compared to seeing the anguish on poor Simba's face as he realised his father would not be waking up.
Audiences would now be captivated in seeing this story through, hoping Simba would realise his potential and face the evil Scar once and for all and, of course, Disney did not disappoint.
Now the blockbuster has returned in 3D allowing a whole new generation to enjoy this fantastic tale. Judging from the success of the re-release in the US, it is no doubt going to create a storm over here. After all, Disney films are timeless classics which can be enjoyed by the whole family for years to come.
That's not all though! Following the success of the Lion King in 3D, Disney are preparing to re-release other classic in 3D over the next two years, including Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo and Monsters. Inc. It's good to see that we will have the opportunity to watch these great films on the big screen once more.
Richard Skidmore
FloridaTix - Online Marketing Manager
Since 1996 FloridaTix has been the UK's leading supplier for Disney tickets, Universal tickets and many more [http://www.floridatix.co.uk]Orlando attractions. We are an authorised broker of all attractions, theme parks, shows and sightseeing tours offered on this site so we can guarantee you the best possible holiday experience at the best possible price.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Disney-Classics-Coming-to-3D&id=6611505] Disney Classics Coming to 3D
Friday, January 13, 2012
Top Ten Anime Convention Rules
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_A_Dewitt]Jennifer A Dewitt
For all you newbies out there, a Japanese Anime Convention or "con" for short, is a large gathering of anime, manga and gaming fans.
Anime conventions can range from a group of 100 people to 5000 people, and have an array of activities to do. From manga libraries, gaming rooms, cosplay panels, dealer rooms, host cafes, and guest speakers; such as voice actors, artists, and writers. So no matter what your interests are regarding anime, you'll always find something to do!
For anyone who has never been to an anime con before, the experience can be both exhilarating and terrifying all at once. I personally experienced this range of emotion at my first con.
This list is meant to help ANY first time convention goer, or anyone who has already gone but has had less fun than they wanted. Trust me when I say, these rules will REALLY help if followed. Both me and my mom are veteran con goers and live by them. They have served us well and I hope they can do the same for you.
1) Always pre-register. This way it will cost less money and you won't have to wait in the very long registration lines.
2) Never, under any condition, wear a fuzzy costume. Even if you're going to the Arctic circle. Don't wear a fuzzy animal suit or anything remotely thick because you will be sticky and miserable.
3) Always wear proper foot wear. That means no platform shoes, 6-inch heels, flip-flops, or custom made anime shoes. I say custom made shoes because you will get them with more than enough time to break them in, but not want to for fear of nicking, scuffing, or stepping in something gross while wearing them. Breaking in new shoes at a convention is like submitting yourself to torture. So unless you like your feet bleeding and sore, wear comfortable shoes that you have already broken in. Sneakers, school shoes, boots...anything that you know is comfortable for many hours and lots of miles.
4) Okay, I know we all want to look exactly like our favorite character, even if they have blue hair down to their feet; but if you can avoid it, don't wear a wig. Not unless it's winter and you are accustomed to wearing wigs. Try picking a character with your color hair or dying it if you are comfortable with that, or maybe buying some hair extensions from a place that sells them. That's how I avoid wearing them.
5) Always dress for the season and venue. If it's the middle of summer, do not pick a character with three overcoats like Ed from Full Metal Alchemist or Fai from Tsubasa Chronicles. Just the same, if you are in Canada during winter, don't dress in a skimpy outfit like Yuko from Gurren Lagann or Black Rock Shooter. I experienced this once, and never again will I wear three coats in the middle of summer.
6) Remember to bring the little things like a small first aid kit, some band-aids, Advil, Tums, and maybe even a small sewing kit just in case an accident happens. Also a healthy snack and water--not just candy or junk, but some food that is really nourishing. We always bring peanut butter and jam sandwiches, and granola bars. Plus it is good to know that the prices for food at conventions are pretty steep, so be advised.
7) No big swords or accessories. Unless you are going straight to a contest or are going to a section where you want your picture to be taken, ditch the swords in your car or motel room. Try picking characters that have smaller weapons or sheathes for the swords, so you are not poking anyone's eyes out or dragging a 6-foot sword behind you all day like an albatross. Plus you have to have ALL weapons checked by convention Security and get their OKAY to keep them. So if going with smaller weapons, go with wood because it's more light weight and Security will be able to tell that immediately.
You should also know this, if you buy a sword while at the convention, you are not allowed to start using it. You must go put it in your car or hotel room right away. And they strictly enforce this with employees at the entrance and exit points.
8) If you want an autograph get in the lines at least one-hour in advance, and maybe even one and a half hours, depending on how large the con is. If you do not get there on time, they will turn you away because they actually have a cut-off point for how many people they will let in the line.
9) Get all your shopping done on Friday. They run out of things very quickly and Saturday it is wall-to-wall people. Also, bring cash and ask if a vendor takes debit. You don't want to be spending what little cash you have on you in a store that takes debit cards. And don't forget, just because you can buy a figure cheaper online, doesn't mean you're not getting a bootleg. In person you can see what you are getting, and conventions have the rule of NO BOOTLEGS. Plus online you will be charged shipping, which adds to the cost of any item.
10) Make lists for everything. I know it sounds stupid, but this will really help. You will end up NOT forgetting things that you may have forgotten. Things like cosplay accessories, medications, snacks, cameras, directions, registration papers, or even just the list of what you want to buy. I have anywhere from 2-3 lists every year, and more than once it has stopped me from forgetting something.
That about sums it up, but here is my last suggestion, look up con videos online and that will give you a better feel for how busy it is. [http://huehueanimereviews.blogspot.com]Hue Hue Anime Reviews is a great site to learn about new animes and old. It is a little different from most anime review blogs in that it reviews entire series (not episodes), and it NEVER does spoilers. It gives detailed age ratings as to WHY something receives a certain age rating. It is also child friendly and encourages young newcomers to the world of Japanese anime.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Ten-Anime-Convention-Rules&id=6606767] Top Ten Anime Convention Rules
For all you newbies out there, a Japanese Anime Convention or "con" for short, is a large gathering of anime, manga and gaming fans.
Anime conventions can range from a group of 100 people to 5000 people, and have an array of activities to do. From manga libraries, gaming rooms, cosplay panels, dealer rooms, host cafes, and guest speakers; such as voice actors, artists, and writers. So no matter what your interests are regarding anime, you'll always find something to do!
For anyone who has never been to an anime con before, the experience can be both exhilarating and terrifying all at once. I personally experienced this range of emotion at my first con.
This list is meant to help ANY first time convention goer, or anyone who has already gone but has had less fun than they wanted. Trust me when I say, these rules will REALLY help if followed. Both me and my mom are veteran con goers and live by them. They have served us well and I hope they can do the same for you.
1) Always pre-register. This way it will cost less money and you won't have to wait in the very long registration lines.
2) Never, under any condition, wear a fuzzy costume. Even if you're going to the Arctic circle. Don't wear a fuzzy animal suit or anything remotely thick because you will be sticky and miserable.
3) Always wear proper foot wear. That means no platform shoes, 6-inch heels, flip-flops, or custom made anime shoes. I say custom made shoes because you will get them with more than enough time to break them in, but not want to for fear of nicking, scuffing, or stepping in something gross while wearing them. Breaking in new shoes at a convention is like submitting yourself to torture. So unless you like your feet bleeding and sore, wear comfortable shoes that you have already broken in. Sneakers, school shoes, boots...anything that you know is comfortable for many hours and lots of miles.
4) Okay, I know we all want to look exactly like our favorite character, even if they have blue hair down to their feet; but if you can avoid it, don't wear a wig. Not unless it's winter and you are accustomed to wearing wigs. Try picking a character with your color hair or dying it if you are comfortable with that, or maybe buying some hair extensions from a place that sells them. That's how I avoid wearing them.
5) Always dress for the season and venue. If it's the middle of summer, do not pick a character with three overcoats like Ed from Full Metal Alchemist or Fai from Tsubasa Chronicles. Just the same, if you are in Canada during winter, don't dress in a skimpy outfit like Yuko from Gurren Lagann or Black Rock Shooter. I experienced this once, and never again will I wear three coats in the middle of summer.
6) Remember to bring the little things like a small first aid kit, some band-aids, Advil, Tums, and maybe even a small sewing kit just in case an accident happens. Also a healthy snack and water--not just candy or junk, but some food that is really nourishing. We always bring peanut butter and jam sandwiches, and granola bars. Plus it is good to know that the prices for food at conventions are pretty steep, so be advised.
7) No big swords or accessories. Unless you are going straight to a contest or are going to a section where you want your picture to be taken, ditch the swords in your car or motel room. Try picking characters that have smaller weapons or sheathes for the swords, so you are not poking anyone's eyes out or dragging a 6-foot sword behind you all day like an albatross. Plus you have to have ALL weapons checked by convention Security and get their OKAY to keep them. So if going with smaller weapons, go with wood because it's more light weight and Security will be able to tell that immediately.
You should also know this, if you buy a sword while at the convention, you are not allowed to start using it. You must go put it in your car or hotel room right away. And they strictly enforce this with employees at the entrance and exit points.
8) If you want an autograph get in the lines at least one-hour in advance, and maybe even one and a half hours, depending on how large the con is. If you do not get there on time, they will turn you away because they actually have a cut-off point for how many people they will let in the line.
9) Get all your shopping done on Friday. They run out of things very quickly and Saturday it is wall-to-wall people. Also, bring cash and ask if a vendor takes debit. You don't want to be spending what little cash you have on you in a store that takes debit cards. And don't forget, just because you can buy a figure cheaper online, doesn't mean you're not getting a bootleg. In person you can see what you are getting, and conventions have the rule of NO BOOTLEGS. Plus online you will be charged shipping, which adds to the cost of any item.
10) Make lists for everything. I know it sounds stupid, but this will really help. You will end up NOT forgetting things that you may have forgotten. Things like cosplay accessories, medications, snacks, cameras, directions, registration papers, or even just the list of what you want to buy. I have anywhere from 2-3 lists every year, and more than once it has stopped me from forgetting something.
That about sums it up, but here is my last suggestion, look up con videos online and that will give you a better feel for how busy it is. [http://huehueanimereviews.blogspot.com]Hue Hue Anime Reviews is a great site to learn about new animes and old. It is a little different from most anime review blogs in that it reviews entire series (not episodes), and it NEVER does spoilers. It gives detailed age ratings as to WHY something receives a certain age rating. It is also child friendly and encourages young newcomers to the world of Japanese anime.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Ten-Anime-Convention-Rules&id=6606767] Top Ten Anime Convention Rules
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